Method and apparatus for pressure washing

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for removing a contaminant from an object. According to one aspect, an apparatus for washing an object which has contaminant is arranged to recover the contaminant. The apparatus includes a support floor that supports an object to be washed and a basin mounted below the support floor. The basin is divided into a plurality of chambers which include a clean water chamber, a secondary water chamber, an oil containment chamber, and a contaminated water receiving chamber which receives water which is contaminated after it is flowed over the object to remove the contaminant. The contaminated water received in the contaminated water receiving chamber must pass sequentially through the oil containment chamber and the secondary water chamber prior to entering the clean water chamber. The clean water chamber is flowably coupled to the secondary water chamber by a first flowpath near the operational water level, while the secondary water chamber is flowably coupled to the oil containment chamber by a second flowpath near the bottom of the basin. The oil containment chamber is flowably coupled to the contaminated water receiving chamber by a third flowpath near the operational water level. The apparatus also includes a first pump which draws and filters water from the secondary water chamber and returns the filtered water to the clean water chamber.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/065,864, filed Nov. 14, 1997, and is related to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/732,638 filed Oct. 15, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No.5,785,067, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/813,919 filed Mar. 7,1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,932, which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for usein pressure washing. More particularly, the present invention relates tomethods and apparatus for safely washing objects with a pressure washer,or similar device, and recovering contaminants from the objects.

2. Description of the Relevant Art

Contamination of the environment by man-made substances has beenconsidered a serious problem for a long time. Recently, concern aboutcontamination of earth, air, and groundwater by oil, toxic chemicals,and other hazardous wastes has expanded beyond large-scale industry toencompass the activities of many small businesses including automobileservice stations, and many others. Both government regulations andsocial outcry have placed tremendous pressure on these businesses toavoid discharging hazardous wastes into the environment in the course ofordinary business activities.

Many businesses partake in activities which are likely to produce wastewhich may be harmful to the environment. For example, in an automobileservice station, washing or steam-cleaning auto parts, e.g., anautomobile engine, often causes engine oil, gasoline, and otherchemicals to enter a storm drain system, or other waterways, therebyleading to the potential contamination of groundwater. In addition,those who service remotely located equipment generally have a need towash the equipment without discharging hazardous waste into theenvironment. By way of example, persons who service roof-mounted airconditioners that contain lubricating petrochemicals, trappedpollutants, or other chemicals are not permitted to wash the equipmentin a manner that could cause chemicals to run off the roof and into thesurrounding environment.

High pressure washing equipment, which is used, for example, to cleanauto parts, is generally available. However, many pressure washers donot have containment capability for hazardous materials. Hence, suchpressure washers may not prevent hazardous materials from entering thesurrounding environment. Some pressure washers may be able to recoversome wash fluid, although pressure washers which recover some wash fluidoften do not filter hazardous wastes, or do not efficiently filter allhazardous wastes out of the wash fluid. As such, pressure washingsystems often generate relatively large volumes of wastewater which musteither be processed separately, or placed in barrels for disposal.Further, since such pressure washing systems are often required tohandle large volumes of wastewater, the pressure washing systems are notreadily moved.

Therefore, what is desired is a portable, zero-discharge wash apparatuswhich may recover oil, chemicals, and other hazardous materials from anobject which is being washed. In addition, what is desired is a washapparatus which may efficiently recirculate, and repeatedly filter, awashing agent, thereby minimizing the quantity of waste materialproduced during a washing process. That is, what is desired is aportable, self-contained way to conveniently, efficiently, and safelywash objects, e.g., automobile engines or parts, and recovercontaminants from them by providing a controlled water supply to anadjustable pressure washer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for removing acontaminant from an object. According to one aspect, a pressure washingapparatus is provided for washing an object having a contaminantincluding a subfloor assembly for supporting an object to be washed. Thesubfloor assembly is adapted to direct contaminated fluids which areflowed over the object to remove the contaminant towards a run-offportion thereof. A settling compartment is positioned below the subfloorassembly having a collection end and an accumulation end. The collectionend is adapted for fluid communication with the run-off portion forreceipt of substantially all the run-off contaminated fluids from thesubfloor assembly, while the accumulation end is positioned downstreamfrom and flowably coupled to the collection end through a relativelylong first flowpath. The first flowpath is adapted to create asubstantially uniform, relatively slow, non-turbulent flow from thecollection end toward the accumulation end to separate the relativelylightweight contaminants of the contaminated fluids from the relativelyheavyweight contaminants of the contaminated fluids. This uniform andnon-turbulent flow enables the light contaminants to substantially risetoward an operational fluid level in the settling compartment while theheavyweight contaminants are caused to substantially settle toward abottom of the settling compartment during flow along the first flowpath.A pump assembly is arranged to draw and filter fluid from theaccumulation end and return the filtered fluid into a separate cleanfluid compartment. Finally, the fluid pumped from the clean fluidcompartment may be used to wash contaminants from the object and acirculation flowpath defined by the settling compartment promotes theremoval of the contaminants from the collected run-off contaminatedfluid.

In one embodiment, the first flowpath is generally U-shaped having anupstream leg portion and a downstream leg portion separated by a bightportion therebetween, the accumulation end being positioned proximate adistal end of downstream leg portion while the collection end ispositioned along the upstream leg portion. Preferably, the collectionend is positioned proximate a distal end of the upstream leg portion.

In another aspect of the present invention, a skimmer assembly ispositioned proximate the accumulation end of the settling compartmentand in fluid communication with the operational fluid level of thecollected fluid in the settling compartment. This skimmer assemblyincludes a belt device adapted to remove floating lightweightcontaminants from a top surface of the collected fluid in the settlingcompartment.

In still another aspect of this embodiment, the subfloor assemblyincludes a base frame assembly movably coupled to the settlingcompartment between an operational position and a maintenance position.In the operational position, the base frame assembly is situated foroperational use over the settling compartment, while in the maintenanceposition, access to the settling compartment is enabled. The subfloorassembly preferably includes a plurality of roller devices mounted tothe base frame assembly having pneumatic cylinders selectively movablebetween a retracted position, when the subfloor assembly is in theoperational position, and an extended position. In the extendedposition, the base frame assembly is rollably supported on the rollerdevices to enable movement of the base frame assembly between theoperational position and the maintenance position.

A modular pressure washing apparatus is also provided for washing anobject having a contaminant. The washing apparatus includes a firstmodular subfloor assembly having a first platform and including a firstsupport floor adapted to direct contaminated fluids which are flowedover the object to be washed to remove the contaminant towards a run-offportion thereof. A second modular subfloor assembly is included having asecond platform removably coupled to and positioned adjacent the firstplatform of the first subfloor assembly. The first platform and thesecond platform cooperate to form an enlarged washing platform area forsupporting the object to be washed thereon. The second subfloor assemblyfurther includes a second support floor adapted to direct collectedcontaminated fluids towards and into the run-off portion of the firstsubfloor assembly. A settling compartment is positioned below the firstsubfloor assembly having an upstream collection end in fluidcommunication with the run-off portion for receipt of substantially allthe run-off contaminated fluids from the first subfloor assembly. Thesettling compartment further includes an accumulation end, positioneddownstream from and flowably coupled to the collection end through arelatively long first flowpath adapted to create a substantiallyuniform, relatively slow, non-turbulent flow from the collection endtoward the accumulation end to separate the relatively lightweightcontaminants of the contaminated fluids from the relatively heavyweightcontaminants of the contaminated fluids. The light contaminants arecaused to substantially rise toward an operational fluid level in thesettling compartment while the heavyweight contaminants are caused tosubstantially settle toward a bottom of the settling compartment duringflow along the first flowpath. A pump assembly is arranged to draw andfilter fluid from the accumulation end and return the filtered fluidinto a separate clean fluid compartment; whereby fluid pumped from theclean fluid compartment may be used to wash contaminants from the objectand a circulation flowpath defined by the settling compartment promotesthe removal of the contaminants from the collected run-off contaminatedfluid.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided forwashing an object, having a contaminant, with water comprising the stepsof: supporting the object over a settling compartment through a subfloorassembly including a support floor having a run-off portion thereof; andpassing water over the object to remove the contaminant from the object.The present invention method further includes the steps of directing thecontaminated water collected in the support floor toward the run-offportion thereof and into a collection end of the settling compartment;and flowing the collected contaminated water from the collection end toan accumulation end of the settling compartment along a relatively longfirst flowpath. This flowpath is adapted to create a substantiallyuniform, relatively slow, non-turbulent flow from the collection endtoward the accumulation end. The method further includes the step ofseparating the relatively lightweight contaminants of the contaminatedwater from the relatively heavyweight contaminants of the contaminatedwater. The light contaminants are caused to substantially rise toward anoperational water level in the settling compartment while theheavyweight contaminants are caused to substantially settle toward abottom of the settling compartment by the substantially uniform,relatively slow, non-turbulent flow along the first flowpath. The methodfurther includes the step of drawing and filtering the water from theaccumulation end for recirculatory use through the passing step.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view representation of a washingapparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side view representation of the washingapparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic top plan view representation of the washingapparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic top view representation of fluid flow paths inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of electric components in accordance withthe first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of hydraulic components in accordance withthe first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of pneumatic components in accordance withthe first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a method of optimizing performance of afluid pump in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic top view representation of a beam arrangementin a washing apparatus with debris filters in accordance with a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic top view representation of a beam arrangementn a washing apparatus with debris filters in accordance with a thirdembodiment of the resent invention.

FIG. 11A is a diagrammatic side view representation of beam 520a of FIG.10 in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11B is a diagrammatic side view representation of beam 520b of FIG.10 in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11C is a diagrammatic side view representation of beam 520c of FIG.10 in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic side view representation of beam 524 of FIG.10 in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic top view representation of a grit-blastingpressure washing system in accordance with a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic perspective view representation of a washingapparatus in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic top plan view representation of the washingapparatus of FIG. 14 in accordance with the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic side elevation view representation of thewashing apparatus taken substantially along the plane of the line 16--16in FIG. 15 in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic front elevation view representation of thewashing apparatus of FIG. 15 in accordance with the fifth embodiment ofthe resent invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic top plan view representation of the analternative embodiment of the washing apparatus of FIG. 14 in accordancewith the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged, diagrammatic front elevation view representationof a skimming device of the washing apparatus of FIG. 14 in accordancewith the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are diagrammatic side view representations of thewashing apparatus of FIG. 14 in accordance with the fifth embodiment ofthe present invention, and illustrating the operation of the pneumaticlift devices.

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic front perspective view, partially cut-away ofa modular washing apparatus in accordance with the sixth embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 22 is an exploded front perspective of the modular washingapparatus of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic rear perspective of the modular washingapparatus of FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

High pressure washing equipment is often used to remove contaminantsfrom objects which are being washed by the pressure washing equipment.However, although pressure washers are effective to remove contaminants,which include hazardous materials, from an object, many pressure washersare not designed to contain the contaminants. As a result, such pressurewashers may not prevent hazardous materials from entering theenvironment around the pressure washer. While some pressure washers maybe able to at least partially contain wash fluid, the hazardous wastesare typically either not filtered out of the wash fluid, or are notconsistently or efficiently filtered out of the wash fluid.

By collecting a washing fluid which contains contaminants, e.g., oil, ina basin nd circulating the washing fluid within the basin, thecontaminants are typically induced to float to the surface of thewashing fluid. Therefore, establishing a flow pattern in the basin whichfacilitates the efficient "separation" of contaminants from washingfluid would enable contaminants to be readily filtered out of thewashing fluid. Such a flow pattern, may allow the contaminated washingfluid to circulate such that contaminants readily rise to the top of thewashing fluid level are filtered out of the washing fluid. Whilecontaminants are filtered out of the washing fluid, the remaining"clean" washing fluid is allowed to be recycled.

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show a pressure washing apparatus, or wash rack, 10which includes a base frame 12, a containment tub 14, and a wall frame16 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Frontand rear walls 18, 20 and left and right-side walls 22, 24 are affixedto wall frame 16, thereby forming a rectangular enclosure into which anobject is placed for washing. It should be appreciated that in FIG. 1,the front wall 18 and right wall 24 are shown in cutaway, in order toenable details of the tub to be shown.

The base frame 12 is a generally rectangular structure comprising fourbase side frames, although it should be appreciated that base frame 12may take on any suitable shape. A front base side frame 26 and a rightbase side frame 28 are shown in FIG. 1. It should be appreciated thatsimilar rear and left base side frames are also provided. Each of thebase side frames is formed from horizontal beams 30 that are joined tovertical posts 32. The beams 30 and posts 20 may be welded aluminum tubestock, structural fiberglass, as for example EXTREN®, which iscommercially available from MMFG, or any other lightweight, sturdymaterial which is essentially non-conductive and non-corroding.

Although posts 32 may be of any suitable size, in the describedembodiment, posts 32 are about 9-1/2" (20 cm) tall, so that the tub 14is suspended and supported in base side frames 26, 28. Front base sideframe 26 has a pair of parallel, transverse fork pockets 34 whichprovide clearance for the forks of a forklift or a pallet jack, enablingthe entire apparatus 10 to be readily moved to a job site or any desiredlocation. A load-bearing brace 33 extends across each fork pocket 34.Braces 33 serve, for example, to contact the forks of a fork lift orpallet jack in order to bear the weight of the apparatus. The rear baseframe (not visible in FIG. 1) has vertical posts affixed across the forkpocket area to prevent a fork lift operator from attempting to insertthe forks of a fork lift into the rear frame. In one embodiment, tub 14has a pair of molded fork clearance channels extending rearwardly inalignment with the fork pockets 34 in order to clear the forks. Theapparatus also may be lifted to an elevated location in this manner.

The wall frame 16 similarly comprises horizontal beams 36 and verticalposts 38 arranged in a rectangular upright structure. As shown in FIG.1, the beams and posts that form the wall frame 16 may be made fromwelded aluminum tube stock, structural fiberglass, or any other suitablylightweight, strong material.

In one embodiment, the wall frame is made in detachable left, right,front and rear wall sections so that the frame may be collapsed into astack for shipping atop the tub and base frame. The beams and posts havethreaded fasteners for securing the wall sections to each other and tothe base frame, such that a sealed enclosure is formed. The sealedenclosure prevents contaminants washed off of an object from enteringthe surrounding environment. Use of threaded fasteners also allows theapparatus to be disassembled into flat wall sections which may bestacked in compact fashion for shipment, permits one person to assemblethe apparatus by eliminating nuts, and eliminates water leakage pathswhich would occur if through-bolt holes were used.

Gaskets 25 are secured to the wall posts and the base frame to ensure atight seal between the base frame and the wall sections. The gaskets maybe foam tape or any other suitable, resilient material which runs thelength of the posts and beams. Walls 18, 20, 22, and 24 are secured tothe wall frame 16 with screws 15. The walls are typically fabricatedfrom a HYZOD polycarbonate sheet, or an equivalent material which isboth non-conductive and substantially impervious to attack by oil,solvents, and other hazardous materials. In the described embodiment,walls 18, 20, 22, and 24 may be approximately 40 inches, or about onemeter, in height. In general, however, walls 18, 20, 22, 24 may be ofany height which adequately contains the spray of a washing agent withinthe walls, while still enabling an operator to reach over or lean intothe apparatus to wash an object. Walls 18, 20, 22, and 24 are madesufficiently high to prevent an operator from falling out of theapparatus while working within the apparatus. In some embodiments, thewalls are made of a transparent material so that an operator may seethrough them to steer the apparatus when it is on a forklift, palletjack or other moving equipment.

The tub 14 may be made from any suitable material. By way of example,tub 14 may be made from stainless steel. Alternatively, tub 14 may bemade, at least in part, from a molded high-density polypropylene basin,or an equivalent sealed pool or basin with high perimeter walls that arestrong enough to contain water. Since the tub 14 itself may not carry aheavy load placed on it, in one embodiment, tub 14 has a plurality ofload-bearing longitudinal beams or walls 40 and a plurality of lateralbeams or walls 42. A secondary containment tub may be provided eitherwithin or outside tub 14 to provide extra security against spillage ofhazardous materials.

The beams 40, 42, which are also known as baffles or baffle walls,snugly interlock so that fluid may not cross the beams unless a hole isprovided in the beam, thus subdividing the tub into a plurality ofcontainment compartments designated A through J in FIG. 4. When anobject is washed with a washing agent in the apparatus, the tub and itscontainment compartments receive the washing agent and any hazardousmaterials washed off the object. Tub 14 has flanges 41 around itsperimeter which extend over and rest on the beams 30 of the base frame.The lower beams 36 of the side walls rest on a tub gasket 27 and on theflanges, and are fastened to the beams 30 using threaded fasteners,forming a sealed sandwich which prevents release of contaminants.

Any suitable tub 14 and supporting beams may be used in apparatus 10. Byway of example, tub 14 and supporting beams may be a modifiedcontainment system such as the CONTAIN-IT PLUS available fromContainment Corporation, Los Alamitos, Calif., USA, or the type shown inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,930,632 and 5,036,976, both of which are issued toEckert, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.Such containment systems are intended for spill containment ofpalletized barrels of hazardous material, but not for use in a washingapparatus. This type of containment system is modified, e.g., by addinginlets and outlets, in one embodiment. The containment system mayfurther be modified by removing a downward, hanging lip on the perimeterof the tub, and by making other necessary changes described below. Also,the beams may be modified by making openings, e.g., holes, in the beamsto permit water to flow between containment compartments. The holes, inone embodiment, may be arranged such that they are located atapproximately the surface level of the fluid contained in the washingapparatus. By arranging the holes in the beams at the surface of thefluid, the flow of oil, which may be located at the surface of thefluid, may be facilitated between compartments. Alternatively, theholes, in another embodiment, may be arranged such that some holes arelocated at approximately the surface level of the fluid contained in thewashing apparatus, while others are located at approximately the bottomof the tub.

As shown in FIG. 3, a subfloor 50 rests atop the beams 40, 42. Subfloor50 is held spaced apart from at least some of the walls 18, 20, 22, 24by a plurality of spacers 52 affixed to the lower inside face of thewalls 18, 20, 22, 24. Thus, a narrow gap 54, which may have a width ofapproximately 3/4" (16 mm) in one embodiment, is provided on three sidesof subfloor 50 to enable washing fluid and debris to flow into tub 14.It should be appreciated that, in general, a narrow gap may be providedon any number of sides of subfloor 50. Subfloor 50 generally rests flaton beams 40, 42 to provide a solid surface over tub 14, and to helpreduce heat loss when the water is in a heated state.

A stabilizing bar 51 extends across the rear edge of the subfloor 50.Bar 51 transfers the weight of the apparatus to the cleats 17 when theapparatus is lifted. The tub has little compressive strength, whereasthe beams 40, 42 and the frame may carry substantial weight. To aid intransferring the weight of the apparatus to the frame, a pair of cleats17 are secured to the rear wall frame through the rear wall 20. When theapparatus is lifted, and when a heavy object is placed in the apparatus,weight is transferred from the beams to bar 51 and then to the cleats.In particular, upward pressure by the rear ends 40' of beams 40 isexerted on cleats 17 and, hence, is transferred to rails 36, posts 38,and the base frame. In short, cleats 17 effectively bear and transferall the weight of tub 14, beams 40, 42, and any water in tub 14 to theframe.

The subfloor 50 is removable to provide access to the tub 14. Thesubfloor is a non-conductive, rigid material such as fiberglass or acomposite material. A non-conductive, non-skid floor mat 60 lies on thesubfloor 50 to slightly elevate the object being washed, and anyonestanding in the apparatus, above the subfloor. This causes wash fluid tocollect below the floor mat, preventing pooling and reducing sprayreflection during pressure washing. Thus, the floor mat 60 helps preventhazardous materials from splashing out of the apparatus and generallyimproves the safety of the operator. The floor mat may be made fromFLEXMAT molded grating or an equivalent pliable, non-skid matting.

A ramp 62 is hinged to the base frame between the front walls 18. Theramp comprises a ramp wall 66 affixed to a welded frame of beams 64.Holes 63 ride on axles (not visible) protruding inwardly from posts 65,to enable hinged movement of the ramp 62. Other types of heavy dutyhinges may be used. The ramp may be folded down, as shown in FIG. 2, toenable heavy objects to be rolled into the apparatus or to hand carryobjects into the apparatus. As shown by arrow 68, before an object iswashed, the ramp is moved upward and rests against flanges 67 protrudingfrom posts 65 of the front wall frame 16 adjacent the front wall 18. Theramp 62 is held in place by two latches (not shown). The ramp 62 iscovered with a subfloor and non-skid grating like those used over thetub 14. It should be appreciated that ramp 62 may generally take manyother suitable forms.

Control unit 70 is attached to the rear wall frame, and encloses controlequipment described below. Control unit 70 is removable and may beattached to an enclosure of any dimension suitable for a particularobject to be washed. For example, the enclosure and tub may take theform of an elongated rectangle to accommodate an object such as amotorcycle. In one embodiment, control unit 70 may be removed andstacked on the collapsed frame of the apparatus for transportationpurposes. In general, the particular dimensions and structure of controlunit 70 may be widely varied. Further, control unit 70 may be made usinga frame 72 fabricated from a material such as, for example, aluminumtubing or fiberglass. Control unit 70 has a rear wall 74 and a floor 76to which the components shown in FIG. 5, 6, and 7 are mounted. Thesecomponents need not be mounted in any particular place within controlunit 70. A control panel 78 provides a mounting surface for gauges,control knobs, and dials which are associated with control unit 70.

FIG. 6 shows a hydraulic system, that is, components and paths used tomove water through the apparatus, in accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention. In the description of this system,the term "water" is used to refer to a washing agent used to washcontaminants from an object. However, detergents or other suitablewashing agents may be used. Therefore, the invention is not limited towater as a washing agent.

One embodiment of the mechanical flow of water through the tub is shownin FIG. 4, in which the arrows represent the direction of water flow.For clarity, in the following discussion, aspects of the invention shownin FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 will be discussed together for clarity. Initially,the tub 14 is filled with water 91 to a pre-determined depth. Althoughthe predetermined depth may be widely varied, in one embodiment, thepredetermined depth is approximately 7 inches, or about 18 centimeters.In general, any depth which is suitable to prime the system and toensure proper pump operation and proper filtration is suitable.Similarly, the volume of water in tub 14 may also be widely varied, andmay be dependent on the application with which tub 14 is to be used. Inone embodiment, the volume of water used to fill tub 14 may be in therange of approximately fifty to approximately sixty gallons, as forexample approximately fifty-five gallons.

As described above, beams 40, 42 rest in tub 14, and fit snugly againstone another to form a plurality of dammed containment chambers, orcompartments, A, B, D, E, F, G, H, J. As shown in FIG. 6, a pressurewasher 86 provides a flow of high-pressure water through a hose 87 to awand 96. Wand 96 is swept over the object to be washed, causing water tocascade onto subfloor 50, as indicated by arrow 98. In the describedembodiment, the water generally only enters compartments A, B, C, D, Eand F because the gaps in the subfloor are provided only at the sidesand front of the subfloor. Also, in the described embodiment, water maynot flow laterally through beams 40 except through gaps 114 which leadto compartment F.

An inlet pipe 112 is provided at the rear of the tub and is coupled to afirst pump 104 which draws water 91 from the tub 14 through the inletpipe 112. The inlet pipe 112 has a pick-up screen covering its open endin tub 14 which serves to prevent relatively large particles fromentering pump 104. In operation, pump 104 provides substantiallycontinuous suction through the inlet pipe 112. As a result, when anobject is being washed, runoff water and contaminants, e.g., acontaminated slurry flow, typically will initially enter compartments A,B, C, D, and E. In these compartments, the water tends to swirl around,as shown by the arrows, until water exits the different compartmentsthrough gaps 43 located at the ends of the beams 42. Each beam 42 tendsto act as a vertical weir to enhance the break down of suspended solids,which fall to the bottom of tub 14.

Eventually the water and the contaminants move into compartment Fthrough gaps 114. In the described embodiment, holes 118a in one of thebeams permit suction from the pump 104 to draw the water fromcompartment F, as well as through a first water/oil separator 100, whichis located in compartment G. A plurality of holes 118a are provided toconform to inlet points of separator 100. As shown by the arrows incompartment G, separator 100 permits cleaned slurry water to flow towardoutlet pipe 112, while oil and other contaminants rise to the surface ofseparator 100, and are discharged to the sides of separator 100. As oiland other contaminants are discharged to the sides of separator 100, theoil and other contaminants falls into a pair of capillary absorbent"socks" 116, or equivalent absorbent arrangements. Socks 116 generallyabsorb many times their weight in oil and other contaminants throughcapillary action. Heavy particles typically fall out of separators 100and settle to the floor of tub 14. In one embodiment, filters may beused to collect heavy particles. Embodiments of tubs which includefilters will be described below with respect to FIGS. 9 and 10.

Suction from pump 104 further urges cleaned water exiting separator 100to flow through holes 118b into a separator 102, located in compartmentH, in which the oil/water separation process is repeated. More oil orcontaminants rise in separator 102 and are discharged into another pairof absorbent socks 116. Separated water flows through holes 118c into aclean water compartment J. Suction from pump 104 draws the cleaned waterfrom compartment J into inlet pipe 112. Inlet pipe 112 is mounted at alow position in the rear-most beam 42, so that any residual oil floatsand is not drawn into inlet pipe 112.

At this point, the cleaned water is drawn by pump 104 and driven underpressure through a hose 105 to a pressure gauge 106 which may be mountedon control panel 78. Thus, the gauge reads the output pressure of pump104. The water next flows through at least one filter 108 having anintake 109 and an outlet 111. More filters may be used to removesuccessively smaller particulates and molecules from the water. Forexample, filter 108 may be in the range of approximately a 100 micronfilter to approximately a 150 micron filter series, which is coupled toa string-wound filter that is in the approximate range of a 30 micron toa 100 micron string-wound filter series that is, in turn, coupled toapproximately a 10 micron to 30 micron polypropylene filter. The filtersmay generally be arranged to perform coalescing filtration by routingunfiltered water into the center of the filter, and drawing filteredwater out the sides of the filter. It should be appreciated that thenumber of filters may be varied without affecting the scope of theinvention. The filters may include, but are not limited to,string-wound, pleated cellulose, or polypropylene filter cartridges suchas those commercially available from Met Pro Corporation, KeystoneFilter Division, Hatfield, Pa., USA.

The difference in pressure displayed by a water gauge 106 and an airgauge, as will be described below with respect to FIG. 7, represents therestriction imposed by the filters, as well as line friction in thewater hoses, tub, and piping. Typically, the restriction will be in therange of about 15-20 PSI for clean filters, depending upon both thefiltration capacity of the filters and the type of filters. Gauges maygenerally be used to aid in the determination of when the filters aredirty by observing a change in the pressure difference or restriction.The time at which a filter is changed may be widely varied.

Filtered water exiting filter outlet 111 is fed to a heater 88 whichheats the water to a pre-determined temperature, as for example apre-determined temperature that is in the range of approximately 140 to180 degrees F. Water at this temperature has markedly improved cleaningeffectiveness. The heated water passes through a temperature gauge 110,such as a sight-glass type, which enables an operator to read thetemperature of the heated water and also verify the clarity of thefiltered water. Heating a loaded tub 14 of cold water may take severalhours. Therefore, the apparatus may include a digital clock coupled tothe apparatus for turning the entire apparatus on, in recirculationmode, to pre-heat the water starting several hours before an operatorbegins work with the apparatus.

Upon exiting the temperature gauge 110, the water arrives at a valve 130having two output paths 132, 134. The valve 130 may be, for example, athree-way Schrader air-actuated valve. Under pneumatic control, asdiscussed below, the valve 130 may be set for output on a recirculatingpath 132 or a wash path 134. When the recirculating path 132 isselected, water flows back to the tub 14 for re-use. Specifically, therecirculation path 132 includes an outlet pipe 158 which connects thevalve 130 to a compartment A in the tub 14. Thus, path 132 enables theapparatus to operate in a closed manner with zero discharge of filteredwater. This ensures that any remaining toxins stay within the system anddo not enter groundwater or a storm drain system. It also improves theefficiency of the separation process by forcing water to the beginningof the compartment circulation cycle. In addition, the recirculationpath 132 returns filtered water to the tub for re-use, which greatlyreduces the quantity of wastewater. The filtered water may be left inthe tub with any residual contaminants. The contaminants may then bewiped or vacuumed out of the tub and disposed of, resulting in virtuallyzero wastewater discharge. Other contaminants are trapped in thecapillary socks, which are disposable, as for example as hazardouswaste.

When the wash path 134 is selected, the valve 130 routes heated water toa second pump such as the pressure washer 86 which generateshigh-pressure water to a manually operated washing wand 96. A separateflow of detergent or washing chemicals may be routed through the wand.

Under certain conditions it is desirable to adjust the flow rate ofwater leaving the second pump. For example, chemical washing agents ordetergents in the apparatus may change the thermal conductivity orspecific heat of the water, requiring reduced flow through the heater toheat the water sufficiently. Therefore, a manually adjusted flow controlvalve 150 is provided to regulate the flow rate of the water after itleaves the pump.

The washing apparatus may also include an ozonation system to ozonatethe water in the tub 14. The ozonation system includes a recirculationpump 160 which draws water from clean-water compartment J into an inletpipe 162. Typical operation parameters for the recirculation pump 160include a flow rate in the range of approximately 5 to approximately 10gallons per minute, e.g., about six gallons per minute and a pressure ofin the range of approximately 10 to approximately 20 PSI, e.g., about 15PSI. From the recirculation pump, the water flows through a gas-liquidmixing device such as venturi-type injector 164. The injector 164 isconnected to an ozone generator 166. As the water flows through theinjector 164, an area of low pressure is created at the constriction ofthe venturi. The low pressure in the injector 164 draws ozone from theozone generator 166, and mixes it with the water. The ozonated water isthen returned via an outlet pipe 168 to one of compartments A in tub 14.

The ozone generator 166 operates by drawing oxygen from the atmosphereand subjecting the oxygen to ultraviolet radiation. The ozone generator166 may be a model CS-1200 ozone generator available commercially fromClearwater Technologies capable of generating 0.25 grams of ozone perhour. Ozone is highly oxidizing, and will attack substantially anycontamination in the water. However, given a typical total volume ofwater, e.g., approximately fifty to sixty gallons, contained within atub, an ozone generation rate of 0.25 grams per hour will generally besufficient to oxidize contaminants without causing damage to thecomponents of the washing apparatus. Both ozone generator 166 andrecirculation pump 160 may be activated any time that power to thewashing apparatus is turned on. Because ozone has a half-life ofapproximately twenty minutes, the recirculation mode is used toconstantly replenish the ozone in the water. In one embodiment, if tub14 has a volume of approximately fifty-five gallons, it generally takesapproximately nine minutes for water drawn through inlet pipe 162 toreturn to clean-water compartment J.

An external water source 92, such as a faucet or a hose, may beseparately coupled to tub 14 through a differential pressure valve 120.External water source 92 provides fresh make-up water for replacement oftub water lost through evaporation. In this arrangement, valve 120 issubmerged in tub 14 and senses water pressure above valve 120. When thepressure decreases to a predetermined threshold which indicates a lowwater level, valve 120 opens, permitting make-up water to enter and filltub 14. Since the use of heated water in the washing apparatus increasesthe rate of water lost to the atmosphere through evaporation, theinclusion of external water source 92 is often desirable.

The number of oil-water separators and capillary socks used with awashing apparatus may be varied depending on many factors including, butnot limited to, the level of contamination of the objects to be washed.Thus, each system may be tailored to match cleaning needs of aparticular object or industry. By way of example, in one embodiment,pump 104 may be an ARO 66602x series 1/4" port air-operated diaphragmpump, which is available commercially from ARO Fluid Products Division,Bryan, Ohio USA. An air-operated pump is advantageous to reduce thelikelihood of igniting flammable contaminants, and to prevent electricshock. Alternatively, a diaphragm pump is advantageous because it has noimpeller which may potentially break. Some air-operated pumps may alsobe grounded, which aids in the dissipation of static electricity chargesthat may build up during washing.

In general, any suitable oil-water separators and capillary socks may beused in a washing apparatus. Suitable oil-water separators may include,but are not limited to, MPAK coalescing plate separators, which areavailable commercially from Facet International, Inc., Tulsa, Okla. USA.Suitable absorbent, capillary socks may include SPILCAT capillaryabsorbents which are available commercially from HYTEC EnvironmentalEquipment, Walnut Creek, Calif. USA.

FIG. 5 shows electrical connections in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. In general, the electrical system is minimized toreduce the potential for igniting combustible materials washed from anobject and to reduce shock hazard. A plug 80 is coupled to a source ofalternating current at, for example, 120 volts a.c. or 220 volts a.c. Amain power switch 82 enables disconnection of the power. Preferably thecircuit is protected by a high-current (80 ampere) ground fault circuitinterrupter 84 such as Leviton Cat. No. 6895. At least five devices areconnected across the voltage source. An electric pressure washer 86 usesthe a.c. current to generate a high-pressure stream of fluid, such aswater, from a low-pressure input stream. A heater 88 heats the fluid toimprove washing effectiveness. Heater 88 may comprise a 3000-watt hottub/spa heater such as model HTTR, HTHX, or STX, which are availablecommercially from Vulcan Electric Co., Kezar Falls, Me. USA. An hourusage counter 90 enables an operator to monitor the amount of time forwhich the apparatus has been used. Both ozone generator 166 andrecirculation pump 160 are connected across the voltage source so thatthey are both activated any time that main power switch 82 is closed.

When tub 14 contains a large volume of cold water, heating the entirevolume to a temperature sufficient for improved cleaning may takeseveral hours. The water may be pre-heated automatically, before anoperator arrives for a work session, using an arrangement which includesa programmable clock. A suitable clock may be a clock of the type thatis often used to control spa heaters. One suitable clock which isavailable commercially from BRK Industries includes a 30-amp currentswitching load, as well as an override feature. Such a clock furtherincludes a digital clock module coupled to a solenoid-driven air valve,which, in one embodiment, is connected in series with an air pressuresource 200, as shown in FIG. 7. The current time of day is preset, andthe desired start time is preset on the clock. At the preset time, theclock causes the solenoid to open the valve. The system is left incirculate mode while the clock is running. Thus, when the preset timearrives, the clock will open the valve and permit air to activate thesystem, thereby turning on water circulation and the heater.

The apparatus is controlled using a pneumatic control and signalingsystem as shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with the first embodiment of thepresent invention. Pneumatic signaling is preferred to an electricalsystem for a number of different reasons. By way of example, pneumaticsignaling is simpler, offers greater fire safety, and reduces the riskof electric shock. Reducing the risk of electric shock is particularlydesirable due to the fact that the entire pressure washing apparatus,including control unit 70, may get wet during a washing process.

Air pressure source 200 feeds the pneumatic system, preferably atpressure in the ranged of approximately 40 PSI to approximately 100 PSI,from an external compressor, or compressed gas bottle. In the describedembodiment, air pressure source 200 is coupled to a quick-disconnectcoupling 202. One branch of coupling 202 is arranged to feed an externaldryer wand which may be used to blow-dry a washed object. Another branch206 of coupling 202 is coupled to an alpha valve 208 and to a rotarycontrol valve 210. Control valve 210 has three settings: "off," "wash,"and "circulate." In the off setting, air pressure source 200 isdisconnected, and the pneumatic system does not operate. In thecirculate setting, the pneumatic system will circulate water, but thepressure washer does not operate, so objects may not be washed. In thewash setting, typically pump 104 is operational which passes waterthrough the heater and to the inlet of the pressure washer.

When control valve 210 is in the circulate setting, control valve 210routes an air signal 212 to alpha valve 208, which opens, therebypermitting air to flow on a path from path 214 to a shuttle valve 216.Air then enters a flow regulator 310. Regulator 310 may be manuallyadjusted to vary the air pressure downstream from regulator 310 whichdrives pump 104. Pump 104 outputs water at the same pressure as theinput air pressure. Thus, by adjusting regulator 310, an operator maychange the water flow rate of pump 104.

Air exiting the regulator 310 is also coupled to an AND logic device222, As described above in connection with FIG. 6, the pump 104 receivesinput water from the tub 14 through pipe 112, and passes water out online 105. A pressure sensor 224 is coupled to the AND device 222, and islocated adjacent to the water line 105. The AND device turns ON onlywhen sufficient air pressure in line 226 is sensed by the pressuresensor. This acts as a safety mechanism, keeping the air pump 104 fromrunning with zero or insufficient air pressure, and thus preventing theapparatus from feeding a "dry line" to the pressure washer 86. Afterexiting the AND device, air is fed to the Schrader valve 240. Thus, whenthe control valve 210 is in the recirculate position, and sufficientwater pressure exists in line 105, the Schrader valve moves, causingwater to pass from line 105 through a needle valve 144 to therecirculation path 132.

When the control valve 210 is in the wash position, an air signal is fedon line 230 to a limit valve 232. The limit valve 232 is mountedadjacent to the ramp 62; if the ramp is closed, the limit valve feedsair to the alpha valve 208, which then opens. This prevents an operatorfrom washing a contaminated object until the ramp is up and the objectis fully contained by the apparatus. The limit valve also feeds air online 236 to the AND logic element 222 and to the Schrader valve 240.When the Schrader valve is activated, it permits a flow of water toenter the pressure washer via wash path 134. Thus, when the controlvalve is in the wash position, and the ramp is closed, the pneumaticsystem activates the pressure washer. The limit valve 232 does not shutoff the air signal 212 when the control valve 210 is in the circulateposition; thus, water may circulate in the tub when the ramp is down,because this does not pose a safety risk to the operator or theenvironment.

The apparatus described above incorporates a significant advance in theart of pump performance. FIG. 8 shows a method of optimizing theperformance of a fluid pump 340 such as a pressure washer in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. A source of a first fluidunder pressure 300 is provided, which may comprise an air compressor,air from a compressed-gas bottle, or the equivalent. Generally thepressure of the fluid source 300 is about 40 pounds per square inch(PSI) to 100 PSI. The pressurized fluid is coupled on a supply line 304to a regulator 310, such as a manual dial-operated air regulator. Theregulator 310 provides air at manually-variable pressure on an outputline 312.

The output line 312 is coupled to a second pump 320 which drives asecond fluid. The second pump 320 has a supply port 326 for receiving aflow of a second fluid, such as a water supply 322, on a supply line324. The second fluid is impelled through the second pump and exitsthrough an output port 328 at higher pressure. The second pump may be,for example, an air-operated diaphragm-type pump. This type of pumprequires no electricity, so it is safe for use in pumping flammablefluids. The output water pressure of a diaphragm pump is determined bythe magnitude of the input air pressure.

The higher pressure output port 328 is coupled on a fluid line 330 tothe input port 332 of the fluid pump 340. The fluid pump may be, forexample, a pressure washer, which is essentially a high-performanceelectric water pump. An external electricity supply is provided to thefluid pump 340 by a line cord 342, and powers an electric motor in thefluid pump. The fluid pump produces a high-pressure output stream 350through a pressurized output port 344. The stream 350 may be coupled toa pressure wash wand to direct the stream onto an object to be washed.

Ordinarily, a fluid pump 340 such as a pressure washer is not coupled toanother pump, but is simply connected to a water supply using a hose.Water supplies vary widely in average pressure and instantaneouspressure, so that a particular pressure washer will operate withdifferent efficiency and reliability depending on the quality andconsistency of the water source. Indeed, if the water supply isexcessively low in pressure, the pressure washer will run in a "starved"condition; the electric motor must work much harder to impel alow-pressure input stream than a higher-pressure input stream for agiven output pressure. This generally increases current consumption andsignificantly shortens the life of the pump motor and internalcomponents of the pump. Since high-quality pressure washers are quiteexpensive, early failure of the motor and/or pump may be catastrophic.

The way of controlling a pump described above overcomes these problems.By adjusting the regulator 310 to vary the output pressure of the secondpump 320, the input stream 330 to the fluid pump 340 may be preciselycontrolled or "tuned," so that the pump 340 runs under optimumconditions. After the system is running and the pump 340 is generating ahigh-pressure stream 350, the operator may listen to noise made by thepump 340 and manually adjust or tune the regulator 310 to avoid starvingthe pump 340. An experienced operator may hear variations in the soundof the pump which indicate stress or non-optimum performance. Theoperator may also observe gauges showing the pressure in line 312 andline 330 and adjust the pressure in line 330 to a pressure recommendedby the manufacturer of the pump 340.

Alternatively, to assist an operator in judging an optimum setting forthe regulator 310, a pressure switch is placed in line 330. The pressureswitch also protects the heater by shutting it off when insufficientwater pressure is present. An electric lamp coupled to the switch glowswhen sufficient water pressure is present and the heater is on. Thepressure switch is preset to turn on at a line pressure which is knownto represent ideal input pressure for the fluid pump 340. In thisarrangement, an operator may adjust the regulator 310 until the lampglows. Thus, the lamp provides a visual indication that optimum inputwater pressure is being provided to the pump 340.

In general, the components shown in FIGS. 1-7 may also operate accordingto the optimization scheme shown in FIG. 8 and described above. When thecontrol valve 210 is in the wash position, an operator may adjustregulator 310 to provide optimum airflow to pump 104, which generates anoutput stream of water on line 105 at constant and reliable pressure.This stream feeds the pressure washer 86; thus, by adjusting regulator310 an operator may quickly and precisely tune and optimize theperformance of the pressure washer.

Electrical components, hydraulic components, and pneumatic components ofFIGS. 5-7, respectively have generally been described as being suitablefor use as a part of a pressure washer which has a fluid flow pathdescribed with reference to FIG. 4. However, it should be appreciatedthat, in general, the components may be incorporated in many otherpressure washers. Specifically, the components may be used in pressurewashers in which walls, i.e., beams or baffles, within a tub take on avariety of different configurations.

In general, baffles provided within a tub may take on many differentconfigurations. By way of example, as will be described below withrespect to FIG. 9, openings may be located near the tops of the walls tofacilitate the passage of contaminants, which float near the surface ofwater in the tub, between chambers or compartments defined by the walls.Alternatively, as will be described below with respect to FIGS. 10 and11, some walls may include openings near the top, while other walls maybe configured, in cooperation with the bottom of a tub which houses thewalls, to define openings near the bottom of a tub.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a beam, or baffle, arrangement in a washingapparatus with debris filters in accordance with a second embodiment ofthe present invention. When objects to be washed in the washingapparatus are particularly soiled, in addition to contaminants, debrismay be washed from the objects. Debris may include heavy particles suchas, by way of example, metal shavings and rubber residue. The gap thatis provided on three sides of the subfloor placed in the washingapparatus, as described above with respect to FIG. 3, enables washingfluid and debris to flow into the tub. The debris may settle on thefloor of the tub, as mentioned above with respect to FIG. 4. However, inone embodiment, debris filters or "gutters," which serve to capture atleast some of the debris as it flows through the gap on the sides of thesubfloor, may be added to the washing apparatus.

Beams 40, 442 rest in tub 14, and fit snugly against one another to forma plurality of containment compartments A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and J,which are similar to the compartments described above with respect toFIG. 4. In the described embodiment, gaps in the subfloor aresubstantially eliminated, and openings 440 at the surface level of thewater are provided in beams 442 to permit oil and other contaminantswhich rise to the surface of the water to flow between compartments A,B, C, D, E and F. In some embodiments, openings may be provided in beams40, as well, to facilitate the passage of oil into compartment G, forexample.

As previously discussed, when an object is being washed, runoff waterand contaminants will initially enter compartments A, B, C, D, and E.The water then tends to swirl around, as shown by arrows, as for examplearrow 448, until the water exits the compartments through gaps 443 atthe ends of beams 442. Openings 440 are arranged near the top of thewater level to enable oil and other contaminants, which have thetendency to float near the top of the water level, to readily flowbetween compartments. When oil and contaminants flow through openings440 into compartment C, for example, some oil and contaminants may beabsorbed by absorbent socks 116 located in compartment C, while watercontinues to flow through gaps 443 at the ends of beams 442.

The flow of water is substantially the same as the flow described abovewith respect to FIG. 4. It should be appreciated, however, that as shownin FIG. 9, water is removed from compartment J through pipe 461, and isprocessed by a filter pump 462 and a cartridge filter 463, and cleanwater is piped through pipe 464 back into compartment J. Filter pump 462may be any suitable pump which is capable of generating an acceptablelevel of pressure, and may be, but is not limited to being, a pneumaticpump. Compartment J may further includes a heating element 465 which maybe used to substantially maintain a desired temperature level withincompartment J. Also, in the described embodiment, an ozone generator 466and a mixer 467 may be arranged to pump a mixture of gas and liquidthrough pipe 468 into compartment A. It should be appreciated that pipe468 is split such that the mixture of gas and liquid pumped therethroughprovides a substantially equivalent force load to compartment A on bothsides of the washing apparatus.

In the described embodiment, absorbent socks 416 are located incompartments C and G, as due to the flow of water in tub 414, it hasbeen observed that oil and other contaminants have a tendency to gatherin compartments C and G. Hence, locating absorbent socks 416 incompartments C and G enables a substantial amount of oil to be absorbedfrom the surface of the water. It should be appreciated, however, thatabsorbent socks 416 may be located in any suitable compartment.

Although oil-water separators have not been included in the describedembodiment, oil-water separators may be included as necessary. Aspreviously described, oil-water separators allow oil and othercontaminants to rise to the surface of the separators and discharge inone direction while enabling water to flow in another direction. Forembodiments in which the flow of water in tub 14 alone is not sufficientto promote a separation between oil and water, oil-water separators maybe included. By way of example, oil-water separators may be oriented incompartment G such that socks 116 located in compartment G may absorboil discharged from the oil-water separators.

Debris filters 460 are located in gaps 443 to capture at least some ofthe heavier and larger particles, i.e., debris, that are present in therunoff water. In general, debris filters 460 are arranged such thatwater may flow through debris filters 460, while debris is captured bydebris filters 460. Although debris filters 460 may take any suitableform, in the described embodiment, debris filters 460 are made from ametal mesh material, and are configured as elongated "V-shaped" pieces.Debris filters 460, as shown, are located such that at least some of therunoff water that flows over the sides of a subfloor (not shown) that istypically placed over beams 40, 442 runs through debris filters 460. Bycollecting debris in debris filters 460, the likelihood of heavyparticles obstructing pipes, as for example inlet pipe 112, is reduced.

In general, the features of the washing apparatus described above mayvary depending upon the requirements of a particular user. By way ofexample, the size of the overall washing apparatus may be increased ordecreased to accommodate the size of objects which are to be washedusing the apparatus. In addition, the individual components associatedwith the washing apparatus may also vary. For example, as mentionedabove with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3, the ramp that is hinged to the baseframe of the washing apparatus may take on various other configurations.Alternatively, it should be appreciated that the ramp may be eliminated,and a gate may instead be arranged in place of the ramp.

The organization of beams in a washing apparatus, as well as therelative location of openings in the beams, may also be varied. Forexample, with reference to FIG. 10, a third embodiment of a beamarrangement within a tub will be described. Baffles 520, 524 arearranged within tub, or basin, 514 such that baffles 520, 524 interlockwith respect to one another to define a plurality of compartments M, N,O, P, Q, R, S, and T within tub 514. In the described embodiment,baffles 520, 524 substantially abut sides 528 of tub 514. That is, eachend of each baffle 520, 524 abuts a side 528 oftub 514.

To ensure that there is substantially no gap between baffles 520, 524,and sides 528 of tub 514, the ends of baffles 520, 524 are generallyattached, e.g., welded, to sides 528 of tub 514. Portions of baffles520, 524 which contact the bottom of tub 514 are typically also weldedto ensure a seal between baffles 520, 524 and the bottom of tub 514.Such a seal essentially prevents water in one chamber from accidentallyleaking into another chamber. Although baffles 520, 524 and tub 514 maybe fabricated from any suitable material, in the described embodiment,baffles 520, 524 and tub 514 are fabricated from stainless steel, sincestainless steel is easily welded, and is resistant to rust.

A subfloor (not shown) which is typically placed over tub 514 isarranged such that when an object is washed, run-off water flows intotub 514 only through debris filters 532. Debris filters 532 serve thepurpose of catching debris, e.g., metal shavings, thereby preventing thedebris from potentially being drawn into a filter pump 562 and damagingpump 562. Debris filters 532 are generally structures which includefine, i.e., small, openings (not shown) which enable run-off water topass through while collecting debris. Debris such as sediment orparticulate matter, e.g., sand, may also pass through debris filters 532and eventually settle at the bottom of tub 514. In one embodiment,debris filters 532 are made of a metallic mesh, and have a substantiallyU-shaped cross-section.

The ends of baffles 524 are shaped such that debris filters 532 may fitbetween baffles 524 and sides 528 of tub 514, as will be described belowwith respect to FIGS. 11a-11c. Specifically, the ends of baffles 524 arearranged to abut sides 528 of tub 514 while supporting debris filters532.

A washing agent, or water, flows through compartments M, N, O, P, Q, R,S, and T in a direction as indicated by arrows 536. The flow pattern issuch that water enters compartments M, N, O, and P as water is flowedover an object which is being washed, and flows into compartment Q. Fromcompartment Q, water flows into compartment R which, in the describedembodiment, includes capillary socks 540 which are arranged to absorboil and other contaminants.

Water flows from compartment R to compartment S, which is typicallyconsidered to be the "second cleanest" compartment in terms of theamount of oil and sediment which is mixed in with the water once thewater reaches compartment S.

Water is removed from compartment S through pipe 561, and is processedby filter pump 562, which may continuously suction water fromcompartment S, as well as a filter 563. Filter pump 562, which may be aelectric diaphragm pump or a pneumatic pump, and filter 563 serve toremove substantially any remaining sediment that still remains in thewater, i.e., sediment which has not settled at the bottom of tub 514. Inone embodiment, filter pump 562 and filter 563 may be arranged to removeany sediment which has a particle size that is greater thanapproximately 5 microns in size, although the minimum particle sizewhich is filtered may be widely varied. In general, filter 563 may beany suitable filter, as for example a bag filter or a cartridge filter.Cleaned water is piped from filter 563 through a pipe 564 back intocompartment T. As a result, compartment T then generally holds thecleanest water in tub 514.

A pump/wand interface 570 may then draw, or suction, water fromcompartment T to enable the same water to be recycled to wash an object.That is, the washing apparatus which includes tub 514 may be consideredto be a closed-loop system. It should be appreciated that pump/wandinterface 570 may generally include a pump which suctions water fromcompartment T through a pipe 572, a wand through which water may beexpelled to wash an object, and pressure regulator to adjust thepressure of water leaving the wand. In one embodiment, pump/wandinterface 570 may further include an external water source arrangementwhich enables water to be drawn from an external source if necessary,e.g., when tub 514 initially contains no water or when water evaporatesfrom tub 514. Such an external water source arrangement is similar toexternal water source 92 and valve 120 arrangement which was describedabove with respect to FIG. 7.

The flow patterns, which are developed at least in part by thecontinuous suctioning by filter pump 562, generally allow run-off waterto enter tub 514 in compartment M, N, O, and P. Run-off water is thencirculated through compartments M, N, O, and P, and into compartment Q,which is essentially a staging chamber. From compartment Q, run-offwater circulates into compartment R, where the water is suctioned bypump 562 into compartment S, and then filtered. Once cleaned, the wateris subsequently expelled into compartment T.

As run-off water flows through compartments M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, and T,run-off water may generally pass between the compartments either nearthe top of the water level, or near the bottom of the water level. Sinceoil and other contaminants become separated from water as run-off waterflows through tub 514, run-off water may pass between compartments nearthe top of the water level, e.g., operational water level, if it isdesired for the passage of oil to be maximized, as for example therun-off water is passing into a compartment which includes socks 540.Alternatively, if it is desired for the passage of oil to be minimized,the passage of run-off water between compartments may occur near thebottom of the water level. One embodiment of the arrangement of openingsin baffles 520, 524 through which run-off water may flow will bediscussed below with reference to FIGS. 11a, 11b, 11c, and 12.

If it is desired to use heated water to wash an object, a heatingelement 576 may be included in compartment T to heat the water incompartment T to a desired temperature. However, for embodiments inwhich it is not necessary to heat water within tub 514 to a particulartemperature, heating element 576 may be eliminated.

In the described embodiment, an ozone generator 580 and a mixer 582 maybe arranged to pump a mixture of gas and liquid through a pipe 584 intocompartments M. Pipe 584 is split such that the mixture of gas andliquid pumped therethrough provides a substantially equivalent forceload to compartments M on both sides of the washing apparatus. Ozonegenerator 580 operates by drawing oxygen from the atmosphere andsubjecting the oxygen to ultraviolet radiation.

In addition to being placed in compartment R, as shown, socks 540 arealso located in compartments Q, as due to the flow of water in tub 514,it has been observed that oil and other contaminants have a tendency togather in compartments O and R. Hence, locating absorbent socks 540 incompartments O and R enables a substantial amount of oil to be absorbedfrom the surface of the water. In one embodiment, oil-water separators(not shown) may be included, if necessary, to further promote aseparation between oil and water. By way of example, oil-waterseparators may be oriented in compartments and R such that socks 540arranged in compartments O and R may absorb oil discharged from theoil-water separators.

Referring next to FIG. 11A, baffle 520a of FIG. 10 will be described inaccordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. Baffle520a includes slots 604 which enable baffle 520a to be placed overbaffles 524, as shown in FIG. 10. Bottom 608 of baffle 520a is arrangedto fit against the bottom of tub 514 to enable baffle 520a to besubstantially sealed against the bottom of tub 514. Sealing baffle 520aand the bottom of tub 514 serves to thereby prevent water from flowingbeneath baffle 520a. Sides 610 of baffle 520a are arranged to be sealedagainst the sides of tub 514. Comer-portions 612 of baffle 520a areshaped to enable debris filters 532, as described above, to be supportedby baffle 520a against the sides of tub 514.

Baffle 520a includes openings 614, 616, 618 which are located in baffle520a such that openings 614, 616, 618 are substantially at or near thetop of the expected water level in tub 514. Openings 614, 616 arelocated at the interface between chambers M and N, which receive run-offwater from a washed object. Hence, run-off water may generally flow fromchamber M to chamber N. Opening 616 is located at the interface betweenchambers S and T, and is arranged to enable cleaned water whichoverflows from chamber T to flow into chamber S. Such an overflow mayoccur in the event that too much water is being added to chamber T whilenot enough water is being drawn out of chamber T.

While the sizes of openings 614, 616, 618 may be widely varied, in thedescribed embodiment, opening 616 is wider but narrower than openings614, 618. The size of openings 614, 616, 618 is generally dependent uponfactors which include, but are not limited to, the size of compartmentswithin tub 514, the flow rate of water through tub 514, and the expectedlevel of water in tub 514. In general, although baffle 520a generallyincludes openings which support pipes, e.g., pipe 561, openings are notshown for ease of illustration.

FIG. 11B is a diagrammatic side view representation of baffle 520b ofFIG. 10 in accordance with the third embodiment of the presentinvention. Like baffle 520a, which was described above with respect toFIG. 11A, sides 630 of baffle 520b are arranged to be sealed against thesides of tub 514. Baffle 520b also include slots 634 which facilitatethe positioning of baffle 520b in tub 514 of FIG. 10. Comer-portions 632of baffle 520b are shaped to enable debris filters 532 to be supportedby baffle 520b against the sides of tub 514.

Bottom 638 of baffle 520b is "stepped" such that bottom sections 638aare arranged to be sealed, e.g., welded, against the bottom of tub 514.Alternatively, bottom section 638b, together with the bottom of tub 514,is arranged to define an opening near the bottom of tub 514. It shouldbe appreciated that in one embodiment, an opening near the bottom of tub514 may be defined substantially completely by baffle 520b. The openingdefined by bottom section 638b and the bottom of tub 514 enables waterto flow from compartment R to compartment S. As discussed earlier,compartment R typically includes socks 540 that skim oil and othercontaminants from the surface of water, thereby enabling relativelyclean water to pass into compartment S, from which water is drawn by afilter pump. Since oil and other contaminants float near the top surfaceof the water as oil is separated with water during the course ofcirculating through tub 514, water located near the bottom of tub 514has the tendency to include very little, if any, oil and contaminants.Therefore, allowing water to pass through the opening defined by bottomsection 638b and the bottom of tub 514 essentially assures that only thecleanest water present in compartment R is allowed to pass intocompartment S.

Openings 644 in baffle 520b are placed so that openings 644 are at theexpected top surface of water which is circulating in tub 514. Openings644 are arranged to enable water and, further, oil and contaminants toflow from chamber N to chamber O where, in the described embodiment,socks 540 are located. Openings 644 are located at the top surface ofthe water since as water circulates, oil and other contaminants tend torise to the top surface of the water. As such, oil and othercontaminants are likely to flow from chamber N through openings 644 intochamber O, where socks 540 may absorb the oil and other contaminants.

With reference to FIG. 11C, beam 520c of FIG. 10 will be described inaccordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. Sides 630of baffle 520c are arranged to be sealed against the sides of tub 514.Slots 674 are oriented to enable baffle 520c to interlock with baffle524 as shown in FIG. 10. Comer-portions 672 of baffle 520c are shaped toenable debris filters 532 to be supported by baffle 520c against thesides of tub 514.

Bottom sections 678a of baffle 520c are arranged to, in cooperation withthe bottom of tub 514, to define openings near the bottom of tub 514.The openings defined by bottom sections 678a and the bottom of tub 514enable water to flow from compartment O to compartment P. In thedescribed embodiment, compartment O includes socks 540 which arearranged to absorb oil and other contaminants from near the surface ofwater flowing in tub 514. As run-off water is circulated through tub514, oil and other contaminants in the water begin to separate from thewater. This separation causes the oil, for example, to float near thetop surface of the water during the course of circulating through tub514. Therefore, allowing water to pass through the openings defined bybottom sections 678b and the bottom of tub 514 enables the cleanestavailable water present in compartment O to flow into chamber P.

An opening 682 in baffle 520c is positioned at the expected top surfaceof water which is circulating in tub 514. Opening 682 is positioned toenable water and, further, any oil and contaminants to flow fromcompartment Q to compartment R, which includes socks 540. Sincecompartment R includes socks 540, and oil and water tend to separate asrun-off water flows through tub 514, positioning opening 682 at thesurface of the water level promotes the passage of oil and othercontaminants into compartment R, where the oil and the othercontaminants may then be substantially absorbed by socks 540.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic top view representation of baffle 524 of FIG.10 in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention.Baffle 524 includes slots 704 which enable baffle 524 to interlock withother baffles, as for example baffles 520 as described above withrespect to FIGS. 11a-c. Baffle 524 includes an opening 708 which enablesrun-off water to circulate from compartment P into compartment Q. Asshown, opening 708 is arranged such that the amount of sediment, whichhas the tendency to sink to the bottom of tub 514 of FIG. 10, may bereduced. In other words, in the described embodiment, opening 708 ispositioned to enable "upper" levels of water to pass betweencompartments P and Q, while essentially preventing "lower" levels ofwater from passing between compartments P and Q.

In general, the pressure washer described above may be modified for avariety of different washing applications. Specifically, the flowpatterns, e.g., the flow pattern described above with respect to FIG.10, may be utilized as part of washing apparatuses arranged to suit anumber of different purposes. By way of example, a pressure washingapparatus which is arranged to remove hardened sediment from an objectmay use a flow pattern that is similar to the flow pattern describedabove with respect to FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of a grit-blasting pressurewashing system in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention. A grit-blasting pressure washing system is generally arrangedto mix grit into a washing agent such that when the washing agent isflowed over an object that is being washed, the grit may remove hardenedsediment, e.g., carbon deposits, from the object. As carbon deposits aregenerally difficult to remove using pressurized fluid alone, the grit isincluded to "chisel" away, or otherwise remove, the carbon deposits. Inother words, the grit "blasts" deposits off of objects.

A basin 804 includes baffles 820, 824 which are arranged to interlockwith respect to one another to define a plurality of compartments M1,N1, O1, P1, Q1, R1, S1, and T1 within basin 804. In the describedembodiment, grit 826 is present in compartment M1a. Grit 826 maygenerally be formed from any essentially particulate material which issuitable for chipping deposits off of an object when forced against theobject. By way of example, grit 826 may be made from particles ofaluminum oxide. The size of the particles used in grit 826 may be widelyvaried. In one embodiment, grit 826 may have a size in the range ofapproximately 200 grit to approximately 400 grit, e.g., 240 grit.

A pump 827, which has an inlet 828 from compartment M1a and an outlet830 to compartment M1a, is arranged to keep grit 826 mixed with awashing agent, e.g., water, in compartment M1a. Although pump 827 maygenerally be any suitable compartment, in one embodiment, pump 827 is acentrifugal pump. In order to prevent grit 826 from flowing fromcompartment M1a through an opening 814 into compartment N1, a filteringmechanism 815 may be arranged to substantially prevent the passage ofgrit 826 into compartment N1, while allowing water to flow fromcompartment M1a into compartment N1. Filtering mechanism 815 may take ona variety of different configurations. For example, filtering mechanism815 may be a wire cloth, such as a 400 mesh screen, which is arranged toobstruct the passage of particles which have grits that are larger thanapproximately 400 grit.

A flowing mechanism 832 is arranged to flow either water mixed with grit826 or clean water, i.e., water from compartment T1, over an object (notshown) to wash the object. Specifically, in the described embodiment, avalve 840 couples flowing mechanism 832 to compartments M1a, T1 suchthat a selection may be made to either flow "gritty" water over anobject, or to flow clean water over the object. Although valve 840 maygenerally be any suitable valve, in one embodiment, valve 840 is athree-way electrically-actuated solenoid valve. The actuation of valve840, as for example to select gritty water for input to flowingmechanism 832, may occur when a user flips a toggle switch (not shown),pulls a trigger (not shown) on flowing mechanism 832, or both.

Flowing mechanism 832 generally includes a pump 834 coupled to anunloader 836, which is coupled to a switch 838. An outlet 844 isarranged such that water may pass through flowing mechanism 832 and beflowed over an object. In one embodiment, outlet 844 is coupled to awand 846 which a user may use to flow water over an object. Pump 834 maybe any suitable, standard pump. However, in order to increase the wearresistance of pump 834, pump 834 may be fabricated from stainless steeland ceramic. Unloader 836 is arranged such that when wand 846 is "on,"i.e., either gritty water or clean water is being drawn through pump834, water returns through outlet 842 to compartment M1a, unless atrigger is pulled to allow water to flow out of outlet 844. Switch 838is a flow switch which, when wand 846 is "on," closes an electriccircuit as water flows through flowing mechanism 832.

As shown, water flows through compartments M1, N1, O1, P1, Q1, R1, S1,and T1 in a direction as indicated by arrows 856. The flow pattern issuch that water enters substantially only compartment M1a as water isflowed over an object which is being washed. In order to prevent waterfrom running off of an object and directly into other compartments, asubfloor, e.g., subfloor 50 of FIG. 3, may be arranged over basin 804such that the subfloor is essentially flush with sides 857 of basin 804,except near compartment M1a. Near compartment M1a, spaces between thesubfloor and sides 857 are used to enable run-off water to flowsubstantially only into chamber M1a. As such, given that filteringmechanism 815 prevents grit 826 substantially from flowing intocompartment N1, grit in run-off water is prevented from flowing out ofcompartment M1a as well.

Water flows from compartment M1a into compartments N1a, O1a, and P1a,sequentially. Finally, water flows into compartment Q1. From compartmentQ1, water flows into compartment R1 which, in the described embodiment,includes capillary socks 858 which are arranged to absorb oil and othercontaminants, e.g., carbon, which may be included within the water. Inother embodiments, as for example those in which there is essentially nooil to be absorbed, capillary socks 858 may be eliminated.

Water flows from compartment R1 to compartment S1, which is typicallyconsidered to be the "second cleanest" compartment in terms of theamount of contaminants which are mixed in with the water once the waterreaches compartment S. Water is removed from compartment S1 through pipe890, and is processed by filter pump 892, which may continuously suctionwater from compartment S1, as well as a filter 894. Filter pump 892,which may be a electric diaphragm pump or a pneumatic pump, and filter894 are arranged to remove substantially any remaining sediment thatstill remains in the water, i.e., sediment which has not settled at thebottom of basin 804. In one embodiment, filter 894 is a bag filter.Cleaned water is piped from filter 894 through a pipe 896 back intocompartment T1, where the water may be heated by a heating element 898.

As water, e.g., run-off water, flows through compartments M1a, N1a, O1a,P1a, Q1, R1, S1, and T1, run-off water may generally pass between thecompartments either near the top of the water level, or near the bottomof the water level. Since contaminants become separated from water asrun-off water flows through basin 804, run-off water may pass betweencompartments near the top of the water level, e.g., operational waterlevel, if it is desired for the passage of contaminants to be maximized,as for example the run-off water is passing into a compartment whichincludes socks 858. Alternatively, if it is desired for the passage ofcontaminants to be minimized, the passage of run-off water betweencompartments may occur near the bottom of the water level. In oneembodiment, baffles 820 and 824 are substantially the same as baffles520 and 524, respectively, of FIG. 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 14-17, a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention pressure washing apparatus, generally designated 900, isillustrated for washing an object having a contaminant. A subfloorassembly 915 (FIGS. 16 and 17) is provided for supporting the object tobe washed, and is adapted to direct contaminated fluids flowed over theobject to remove the contaminant towards a run-off portion 914 thereof.A settling compartment, generally designated 913, is positioned belowthe subfloor assembly 915 having a collection end 917 and anaccumulation end 920. The collection end 917 is configured for fluidcommunication with the run-off portion 914 for receipt of substantiallyall the run-off contaminated fluids from the subfloor assembly 915,while the accumulation end 920 is positioned downstream from andflowably coupled to the collection end 917 through a relatively longfirst flowpath (represented by arrows 918). The first flowpath 918 isadapted to create a substantially uniform, relatively slow,non-turbulent flow from the collection end 917 toward the accumulationend 920 to separate the relatively lightweight contaminants 958 (FIG.20) of the contaminated fluids from the relatively heavyweightcontaminants (not shown) of the contaminated fluids. This uniform andnon-turbulent flow enables the lightweight contaminants 958 tosubstantially rise toward an operational fluid level in the settlingcompartment 913 while the heavyweight contaminants are caused tosubstantially settle toward a bottom of the settling compartment 913during flow along the first flowpath. A pump assembly, generallydesignated 926, is arranged to draw and filter fluid from theaccumulation end 920 and return the filtered fluid into a separate cleanfluid compartment 911. Finally, the fluid pumped from the clean fluidcompartment 912 may be used to wash contaminants from the object and acirculation flowpath defined by the settling compartment 913 promotesthe removal of the contaminants from the collected run-off contaminatedfluid.

Accordingly, this embodiment enables natural separation of thelightweight components of the contaminants from the heavyweightcomponents of the contaminants suspended in the collected fluid or water957 in settling compartment during flow along the first flowpath fromthe collection end to the accumulation end. By providing a flow pathwhich is relatively slow (about 0.5 gallons/min. to about 8.5gallons/min, and more preferably about 2.0 gallons/min.), relativelynon-turbulent and uniform, separation of the contaminants can naturallyoccur during the fluid flows toward the accumulation end.

The first flowpath 918 of the settling compartment 913 is preferablyU-shaped having an upstream leg portion 919 and a downstream leg portion924 separated by a bight portion 929 therebetween. This U-shapedconfiguration is beneficial in that the flow of water around the legportions causes a more uniform, non-turbulent flow to foster thecontaminant separation. (anything to add)

As shown in FIG. 14, pressure washing apparatus 900 similarly includes abase frame assembly 901 adapted to extend over a separate containmenttub 902. Support frame members 903 of base frame assembly 901 extendperipherally around containment tub 902 and define an opening 905therethrough. Tub 902 includes interior walls 906, 907, 908 and 910which collectively define the interior inlet compartment 911 and thecentral heating or clean compartment 912 as well as the U-shapedsediment settling compartment 913.

A subfloor assembly 915 (FIGS. 16 and 17) is positioned and supportedatop support frame members 903 in a manner extending over opening 905. Ametal or fiberglass grate assembly 909 is then positioned atop thesubfloor assembly 915 and is further supported by support frame members903 over the opening. Hence, the articles to be washed can be supportedatop this grate and over the subfloor assembly 915 and containment tub902 for washing.

To direct the contaminated wash water toward the run-off portion 914, asupport floor 904 is positioned under grate assembly 909 and issupported atop support frame members 903. As best illustrated in FIGS.16 and 17, the support floor 904 is preferably configured to gravityflow or funnel the collected wash water toward run-off portion 914, andultimately deliver the water through funnel opening 934 at thecollection end 917 of the settling compartment. Once the collectedrun-off wash is funneled through funnel opening 934 which is preferablyseated in the settling compartment 913 at the collection end 917. Thisfiltering basket 916, which may be provided by any coarse filteringdevice, is configured to filter out very coarse contaminants typicallyon the order of about fifty (50) thousandths of an inch and greater.Subsequently, the preliminarily filtered run-off wash is dispensed intoan upstream collection end 917 of the U-shaped settling compartment 913where flow commences in a direction of arrow 918 (FIG. 15) from thecollection end 917 toward an opposite accumulation end 920 of thesettling compartment 913. Therefore, the slow flow of run-off watercollected in the settling compartment 913 from the collection portion tothe accumulation end is caused to be drawn into the inlet compartment911 through the inlet orifices 921.

As set forth above and as illustrated in FIG. 15, the U-shaped settlingcompartment is comprised of an upstream leg portion 919 and a downstreamleg portion 924 which are separated by a middle bight portion 929thereof. The collection end 917 is positioned along the upstream legportion 919 while the accumulation end 920 is positioned proximate adistal end of downstream leg portion 924. Preferably, the collection end917 is also positioned proximate a distal end of the upstream legportion to maximize the length the first flowpath 918 of the settlingcompartment 913 from the collection end to the accumulation end.Moreover, the U-shaped design of this fifth embodiment enables a greatervolume of collected run-off water in the settling compartment 913, ascompared to the previous embodiments. This arrangement causes a flow inthe direction of arrow 918 which is ultimately less turbulent andenables more settling of the sediments in the settling compartment.Moreover, the longer flow path through the settling compartment 913 fromthe collection end 917 to the accumulation end 920 allows more time toseparate the heavier sediments and lightweight contaminants, such asoils or the like, from the run-off water.

In the preferred embodiment, the capacity of the settling compartment913 is in the range of about 150 gallons to about 200 gallons, and morepreferably about 180 gallons. An ozonation system 922 including anozonation pump 923, and a filtering assembly 925 including a filter pump926, to be discussed below, collectively generate a uniform flow of thewater in the settling compartment at a rate of preferably about six (6)gallons per minute to about twelve (12) gallons per minute duringoperation of the pressure wand. During idling of the pressure wand,however, the water flow ceases from the filter pump. The ozone pump,however, may continue to circulate water if the ozone system isoperating.

As best shown in FIG. 14, the inlet orifices 921 extending throughinterior side wall 908 are preferably positioned proximate a bottomportion thereof to assure that the drawn water from the accumulation end920 does not contain as substantial amount of the lightweightcontaminants. Since the lightweight contaminants accumulate at the uppersurface of the water level in the accumulation end, the bulk of thesecontaminants will not be drawn into the inlet compartment 911.

As set forth above, the ozonation pump 923 of the ozonation system 922and the filter pump 926 of the filtering assembly 925 are coupled to theinlet compartment 911 which collectively generate a uniform flow ofwater through the settling compartment 913. The ozonation pump 923 drawswater from the inlet compartment 911 through a first inlet port 927 forpassage through an ozonator device 928, the type or which is describedabove. Unlike the previous embodiments, however, the ozonated water isdispensed into the collection end 917 at the distal portion of theupstream leg portion 919 of the settling compartment 913 through a firstoutlet port 930. In this arrangement, the ozonated water is caused todirectly attack the bacteria and associated odors from the run-off waterin settling compartment. Hence, the ozonated water is more efficientlyapplied. Preferably, a timer device may be included to automaticallycirculate the ozonated water during periods when the run-off water isbeing cooled for a more efficient ozonator operation.

FIG. 15 best illustrates that the filter pump 926 is coupled to theinlet compartment 911 through a second inlet port 931. This filter pump926 passes the inlet water through at least one filter unit or capsule932 which in turn dispenses the filtered water through a second outletport 935 into the center heating compartment or clean fluid compartment912. Preferably, a series or sequence of filter capsules 932, 933 areemployed which cooperate to filter out contaminant particles in therange of about one (1) micron to about five (5) microns and greater. Forexample, the first filter capsule 932 may be provided by a five (5)micron filter while the second filter capsule 933 may be provided by aone (1) micron filter.

As will be discussed in more detail below, the ozonation system 922 andthe filtering assembly 925 are removably mounted to a support housing936 which in turn is coupled to the containment tub 902. Hence, the baseframe assembly 901 supports the subfloor assembly 915 and the grateassembly 909 over the containment tub, and can thus be separatedtherefrom. In other embodiments, the base frame and the containment tub902 may be coupled together as a unit, while the support housing may beseparated therefrom.

Incidently, the filtering assembly 925 is configured such that when theinternal pressure of the filtering capsules 932, 933 surpass apredetermined amount, preferably about sixty (60) psi, the filteringpump assembly is automatically shut-down. Such an internal pressureimplies that the filter capsules are either at capacity or are blocked.

The center clean fluid compartment 912 is sealed from the othercompartments so that no other water is capable of flowing therein withthe exception of the filtered water dispensed from the second outletport 935 of the filtering assembly 925. Similar to the previousembodiments, a heating coil 937 is positioned proximate the bottom ofthe heated compartment for selective heating of the filtered water.

A pressurized pump assembly 938, having a capacity of at least about1000 psi to about 3000 psi, and preferably at least about 2500 psi, isprovided communicably coupled to the center clean fluid compartment 912through a third inlet port 940. A pressure wand (not shown) is coupledto the pressurized pump assembly 938 which is adapted to dispense theheated, filtered water therethrough in the manner described above. Whenthe pressure wand is not in use, the filtering assembly 925 may stilloperate to filter the water contained in the inlet compartment 911.However, since the heated, filtered water will not be drawn through thepressurized pump while the filtered water from the filtering assembly925 continues to be dispense into the clean fluid compartment 912through the second outlet port 935, the filtered water in the cleanfluid compartment 912 will fill to capacity.

To prevent spillover into the surrounding U-shaped settling compartment,recirculation slots 941 are provided extending through central interiorwall 910 to allow overflow of the heated, filtered water back into theinlet compartment 911. These recirculation slots 941 are preferablypositioned at a predetermined height, and are sufficiently sized toenable continual recirculation from the inlet compartment; throughfiltering assembly 925; into the heated compartment; and back into theinlet compartment 911. The filter pump 926 is preferably coupled inparallel with the pressure pump 938 so that clean, filtered water isonly circulated when the pressure pump is operational.

Hence, when the pressure wand of the pressurized pump assembly 938 isnot being operated, the flow of run-off water in the U-shaped settlingcompartment ceases. This allows sediment and contaminant separation inthe settling compartment during non-use. It will be appreciated,however, that the flow water contained in the settling compartment maycommence if desired by operating the ozonator system 922.

Referring now to FIG. 18, an alternative configuration to the fifthembodiment of FIG. 14 is illustrated where the collection end 917 issubstantially positioned along the length of the upstream leg portion919 of settling compartment 913. In this embodiment, support floor 904is preferably divided into four separate channels 904-904"' (FIG. 22).Each channel is configured to funnel the runoff wash into fourrespective preliminary filtering baskets 916, 916', 916" and 916'" forprefiltering.

In another aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 19, askimmer assembly 942 is positioned proximate the accumulation end 920 ofthe settling compartment 913 which is in fluid communication with theoperational fluid level of the collected fluid in the settlingcompartment 913. This skimmer assembly 942 is preferably provided by abelt skimmer, such as that provided by WAYNE PRODUCTS, INC., whichincludes a skimmer belt device 955 adapted to remove floatinglightweight contaminants from a top surface 956 of the collected fluidin the settling compartment 913.

Belt skimmer assembly 942 includes a motor device 943 operably coupledto a pair of spaced-apart pulleys 944, 944' which drive skimmer beltdevice 955. A rear wall 945 of containment tub 902 defines an accessportion at the accumulation end 920 which enables the skimmer assemblyto access the top surface 956 of the run-off water 957. As the pulleys944, 944' rotate clockwise direction, in FIG. 19, the configured skimmerbelt 955 draws or scoops the floating contaminants 958 and transportsthem to a funnel device 960. In turn, these scooped-up contaminants aredeposited in a holding compartment 946 which is positioned rearward ofrear wall 945 of the containment tub 902. Hence, this enables thelighter weight contaminants 958, which have accumulated at theaccumulation end of the settling compartment, to be skimmed from the topsurface 956 of the run-off water 957. The bulk of the light weightcontaminants, such as oil, thus, can be easily removed from the settlingcompartment and deposited in the holding compartment 946. The filteringassembly 925 then filters out the remaining contaminants which arepassed into the inlet compartment 911 from the settling compartment 913.

To prevent the overflow of the drawn contaminants in the holdingcompartment 946 into other compartments of the support housing whichcontain the other pump assemblies and the associated hardware, anoverflow passage 947 is provided in rear wall 945. This overflow passageenables the overflow of the contaminants back into the upper portion ofthe accumulation end 920 of the settling compartment 913. A splash hood961 may also be provided to reduce splashing. Finally, a skimmer pumpdevice 962 (FIG. 15) may be provided to drain the contaminants from theholding compartment 946.

FIGS. 17, 20A and 20B best illustrate yet another aspect of thisembodiment having a subfloor assembly 915 which includes a base frameassembly 901 movably coupled to the settling compartment 913 between anoperational position (FIG. 20A) and a maintenance position (FIG. 20B).In the operational position, the base frame assembly 901 is situated foroperational use over the containment tub 902, while in the maintenanceposition, access to the settling compartment 913 is enabled. Thesubfloor assembly 915 preferably includes a plurality of roller devices,generally designated 951, mounted to the base frame assembly 901 havingpneumatic lift device or cylinders 950 selectively movable between aretracted position (FIG. 20A), when the subfloor assembly is in theoperational position, and an extended position (FIG. 20B). In theextended position, the base frame assembly 901 is rollably supported onthe roller devices 951 to enable movement thereof between theoperational position and the maintenance position.

Preferably, the base frame assembly 901, the subfloor assembly 915 andthe grate assembly 909 are configured to separate from the containmenttub 902 and the support housing 936 which are coupled together as aunit. As set forth above, the base frame assembly 901 includes at leastfour pneumatic lift cylinders 950 positioned at the comers thereof areformed to engage the ground in a manner elevating the base frameassembly 901 and the supported structures upward from the containmenttub 902 when moved to the extended position. In the preferredembodiment, the roller devices 951 are preferably provided by casterwheels 951 mounted to the distal ends of piston members 952 of the liftdevices. Accordingly, when the pneumatic lift devices 950 are actuated(FIG. 20B) through a compressed air source, the piston members 952 areextended outwardly from the retracted position to the extended positionwhich lift the base frame assembly 901 and supporting structure off theground and in rolling support on the caster wheels 951. Subsequently,the base frame assembly 901 and support structure can be rollablyseparated from the containment tub 902 and the support housing 936 fromthe operational position (FIG. 20A) to the maintenance position (FIG.20B) to enable maintenance of either components.

Moreover, this arrangement includes the advantage of separating theelectricity source, which is coupled to the controller box 953 (FIG.17), from the containment tub 902 and the pump assembly components.Activation switches (not shown) may be included which only enableoperation of the pressure washer when the base frame is properlypositioned over the containment tub 902 and seated in proper proximityto the rear wall 945 thereof.

Conversely, the lift devices could be mounted to the controller assemblysuch that the housing frame can be separated from the base frameassembly 901.

A level sensor or float switch (not shown) may be provided in the inletcompartment 911 which actuates an auto-fill function in the event theheated filtered water level drops below a predetermined amount since anestimated five gallons of water per day is evaporated from the cleanfluid compartment. Should the water level drop too low in the cleanfluid compartment, the heating coils could be detrimentally exposed. Thelevel of the run-off water in the settling compartment, further, wouldalso drop causing the separation feature of this embodiment to functionless efficiently. Moreover, the inlet member 943 of the skimmer assembly942 may experience difficulties accessing the top surface of the waterat the accumulation end. A secondary level sensor or float switch (notshown) may be provided which protects the heating coil from exposure byshutting the system down when activated.

Once the level sensor senses that the water level is too low, theauto-fill feature automatically fills the clean fluid compartment 912which in turn raises the level of the settling compartment 913 to apredetermined level. In the preferred embodiment, a third or fill outletport 948 is communicably coupled to the clean fluid compartment tomaintain the heated filtered water at the predetermined level.

An auto-drain function is also provided for the heated compartment whichis coupled to another level sensor (not shown) contained in the rearwall 945 thereof. Should the water level in the inlet compartment 911surpass a predetermined amount, and hence the capacity of therecirculation feature, a solenoid would operate to drain the clean fluidcompartment until the water level lowers back within the predeterminedrange. Similarly, a like auto-drain function or audible alarm featuremay be provided for the settling compartment to drain or warn of apotential overflow problem.

The pressurized pump assembly 938 may also be coupled to an externalwater source in addition to the recirculated wash water of the cleanfluid compartment 912. For example, the external water source may be afresh rinse water or special solvent. A pair of solenoids or the like(not shown) may be operated to selectively draw water from the desiredsource.

As set forth above, a support housing 936 is provided at the rear of thecontainment tub 902 housing all the pump assemblies and the associatedhardware. This housing, however, may be positioned on any side of thecontainment tub.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-23, a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated as being substantially modular in design sothat a plurality of pressure washer apparatus 900, 900' are capable ofbeing coupled together to increase the wash area or chamber 939. In thisembodiment a modular pressure washing apparatus 900 is provided forwashing an object having a contaminant including an independent, firstsubfloor assembly 915 and an independent, second subfloor assembly 915removably coupled to and positioned adjacent the first subfloorassembly. The first subfloor assembly 915 includes a first supportplatform 909 and a first support floor 904 under the first platform 909.The second subfloor assembly 915' further includes a second supportfloor 904' under the second support platform 909'. Collectively, thefirst and second platforms create an enlarged washing platform area 939for supporting the object to be washed thereon. A settling compartment913 is positioned below the first subfloor assembly 915 and formed toreceive substantially all the run-off of contaminated fluids flowed overthe object from the first subfloor assembly 915. This settlingcompartment is further adapted for fluid communication with the secondsubfloor assembly 915 for receipt of substantially all the run-off ofcontaminated fluids flowed over the object from the second subfloorassembly 915. A first pump assembly 926 is coupled to the first subfloorassembly 915, and is arranged to draw and filter the contaminated fluidsfrom the settling compartment 913 and return filtered fluids into aseparate clean fluid compartment 912 (FIGS. 15 and 18) The fluid pumpedfrom the clean fluid compartment 912 may be used to wash contaminantsfrom the object and a circulation flowpath defined by the settlingcompartment promotes the removal of the contaminants from the collectedrun-off contaminated fluid.

Accordingly, a modular washing apparatus is provided such that two ormore independent subfloor assemblies can be mounted together in aside-by-side manner to form a continuous wash area of increased size.Moreover, the water filtering and cleaning assembly of the primary orfirst subfloor assembly may be employed for both subfloor assembliessince the contaminated run-off fluids collected from the second subfloorassembly is directed into the settling compartment.

In the preferred form of this sixth embodiment, the settling compartment913 is positioned below the first subfloor assembly 915 and is formedand operated substantially similar to the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. Briefly, the settlingcompartment 913 includes a collection end 917, in fluid communicationwith a run-off portion 914 of a first support floor 904 of the firstsubfloor assembly 915 for receipt of substantially all the run-offcontaminated fluids collected therefrom. The settling compartmentfurther includes an accumulation end 920 positioned downstream from andflowably coupled to the collection end 917 through a relatively longfirst flowpath adapted to create a substantially uniform, relativelyslow, non-turbulent flow from the collection end 917 toward theaccumulation end 920 to separate the relatively lightweight contaminantsof the contaminated fluids from the relatively heavyweight contaminantsof the contaminated fluids. Similarly, the light contaminants are causedto substantially rise toward an operational fluid level in the settlingcompartment 913 while the heavyweight contaminants are caused tosubstantially settle toward a bottom of the settling compartment duringflow along the first flowpath.

As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 22, by removing one of the opposedside walls 963, 963' and associated vertical posts 965, 965' enclosingthe support platforms 909, 909' of the independent subfloor assemblies915, 915', the two pressure washers can be positioned side-by-side in amanner collectively enlarging wash area 939 of the wash chamber.Brackets and fasteners (not shown) may then be employed to couple thefirst base frame assembly 901 of the first subfloor assembly 915 to thesecond base frame assembly 901 of the second subfloor assembly 915'.Thus, a relatively rigid, unitary structure may be formed to support theobject to be cleaned. Once the base frames are properly mountedtogether, the first support platform 909 and the second support platform909' (FIG. 23) may be positioned atop the corresponding base frameassemblies 901, 901' to form the enlarged, continuous, washing platformarea 939.

In one configuration, the second support floor 904' of the secondsubfloor assembly 915 can be formed to drain the run-off water capturedtherein into either the settling compartment 913 of the first supportfloor 904 of the first subfloor assembly 915 (not shown). For example,the second support floor 904' may include a plurality of channels whichare adapted to gravitationally funnel the collected run-off water intothe corresponding portions of the first subfloor assembly 915.Subsequently, the first support floor 904 is formed to funnel thecollected run-off water from both subfloor assemblies toward the run-offportion of the first subfloor assembly.

More preferably, each subfloor assembly 915, 915' includes independentsupport floors 904, 904 each of which is formed to funnel the respectivecollected contaminated fluids towards and into respective run-offportions 914, 914' thereof As best viewed in FIG. 22, the support floors904, 904' may be provided by a four channel funnel configuration form tomate with the embodiment of FIG. 18. However, the single funnelconfiguration employed in FIGS. 15 and 16 may also be employed as well.

Regardless, second subfloor assembly 915' preferably includes acollection compartment 966' (FIG. 21) positioned below the run-offportion 914' of the second support floor 904'. The collectioncompartment 966' is formed to receive substantially all the run-off ofcontaminated fluids flowed over the object from the second subfloorassembly. Once the contaminated run-off fluids are collected incollection compartment 966', they are fluid transferred to the settlingcompartment 913 for receipt of the run-off contaminated fluid of thesecond subfloor assembly 915 into the settling compartment 913.

This is preferably performed by a transfer pump device 967 (FIGS. 15 and18) coupled between the first subfloor assembly 915 and the secondsubfloor assembly 915 to pump and/or draw the contaminated run-offfluids of the collection compartment 966 into the settling compartment913. Housed in the support housing 936 of the first subfloor assembly915 is transfer pump device 967 which is preferably configured tooperate automatically upon operation of the first pump assembly 926 orupon sensing the collection of contaminated fluids in collectioncompartment 966. A first hose 968 is preferably fluidly couples thecollection compartment 966 to the transfer pump device, while a secondhose 970 fluidly couples the transfer pump device 967 to theaccumulation end 920 of the settling compartment 913.

In either arrangement, a single filtering assembly, ozonation assembly,skimmer assembly, etc. may be employed for these combined units. Suchmodularity is advantageous since the wash chambers can be easilyexpanded or reduced without requiring the addition of separatecontainment tubs and the associated water cleansing assemblies.

Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it should be understood that the present invention may beembodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spiritor scope of the invention. By way of example, any suitable mechanism maybe used in lieu of absorbent socks for absorbing oil. Further, thelocations of these mechanisms, as well as the location of absorbentsocks may be widely varied. Similarly, the location of oil-waterseparators may also be varied. It should be appreciated that in additionto varying the location of oil-water separators, the use of oil-waterseparators may also be eliminated without departing from the spirit orthe scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment, a washing apparatus may be modified for use with asteam cleaner. A steam cleaner is often used with a regular, e.g., city,water supply and, hence, draws water from the water supply. Therefore,when used with a washing apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention, the washing apparatus may be linked to the same water supplyto draw water when necessary, and to dispose of clean water generated atthe end of a washing cycle. Since steam has a tendency to adverselyaffect filter pumps and cartridge filters, the washing apparatus may bemodified to include Flo-Jet pumps, which pull run-off water from inletsto the tub of the washing apparatus, e.g., an inlet to the secondcleanest compartment of water. Filters, which are separate from thepumps, may be arranged to filter the run-off water for sediment prior toreturning the water to the tub, or even directly to an external watersupply. Substantially any oil in the run-off water may be collected asthe run-off water flows through the flow patterns which were previouslydiscussed.

As described above, a ramp may be included as a part of the washingapparatus to facilitate the loading and the unloading of objects whichare to be washed using the washing apparatus. However, it should beappreciated that a separate ramp, or a ramp that is not part of thewashing apparatus, may instead be used to move objects into and out ofthe washing apparatus. By way of example, the washing apparatus mayinclude a gate, e.g., door, through which objects may be moved. Anexternal ramp, or a forklift device, may then be used to facilitate themovement of objects through such a gate on the washing apparatus. In oneembodiment, such a gate may be arranged to open more than ninety degreesto enable objects to be more readily moved into and out of the washingapparatus.

In order to further facilitate the washing of an object, a turntable onwhich an object to be cleaned may be situated, may be placed on thesubfloor of a pressure watching apparatus. As a turntable serves torotate an object while the object is being cleaned, the inclusion of aturntable may serve to improve the cleaning process in many cases.

A splash protection cover may be mounted on a washing apparatus toreduce the amount of water and, further, contaminants which may splashout of the washing apparatus. A splash protection cover may simply beplaced over the washing apparatus and mounted using devices such asscrews and locks. Alternatively, a splash protection cover may bemounted using a suspension system which enables the splash protectioncover and the splash protection shield to be pivotably moved withrespect to the washing apparatus, e.g., the splash protection covershield may be hinged to the washing apparatus.

The dimensions of the washing apparatus and features thereof may also bewidely varied without departing from the spirit or the scope of thepresent invention. By way of example, if objects such as aircraftengines, which have dimensions that are larger than the dimensions ofthe washing apparatus described above, are to be washed, the dimensionsof the washing apparatus may be modified to accommodate the objects.Similarly, the dimensions of the washing apparatus may also be modifiedto accommodate small objects.

Further, the materials used in the fabrication of the washing apparatusdescribed above may be varied depending upon factors which include thewashing agent to be used with the washing apparatus and the type ofobject which is to be washed. All components of the washing apparatus,including pumps, may be fabricated from a material such as stainlesssteel in the event that de-ionized water is to be used as the washingagent, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

In a grit-blasting pressure washing system used to wash objects whichinclude very little oil, a washing apparatus may include substantiallyonly two or three chambers, as the need to circulate and separate oilfrom water during the circulation diminishes. In such a system, onechamber may be arranged to hold grit and to receive run-off water, whilea second chamber may be arranged to hold grit-free water. A thirdchamber may be an intermediate, "staging," chamber without departingfrom the spirit or the scope of the present invention. Therefore, thepresent examples are to be considered as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pressure washing apparatus for washing anobject having a contaminant comprising:a subfloor assembly forsupporting an object to be washed, and adapted to direct contaminatedfluids which are flowed over the object to remove the contaminanttowards a run-off portion thereof; a settling compartment positionedbelow the subfloor assembly having a collection end, in fluidcommunication with the run-off portion for receipt of substantially allthe run-off contaminated fluids from said subfloor assembly, and anaccumulation end, positioned downstream from and flowably coupled tosaid collection end through a relatively long first flowpath adapted tocreate a substantially uniform, relatively slow, non-turbulent flow fromthe collection end toward the accumulation end to separate therelatively lightweight contaminants of the contaminated fluids from therelatively heavyweight contaminants of the contaminated fluids, saidlight contaminants being caused to substantially rise toward anoperational fluid level in said settling compartment while saidheavyweight contaminants are caused to substantially settle toward abottom of said settling compartment during flow along the firstflowpath; and a pump assembly arranged to draw and filter fluid from theaccumulation end and return the filtered fluid into a separate cleanfluid compartment; whereby fluid pumped from the clean fluid compartmentmay be used to wash contaminants from the object and a circulationflowpath defined by the settling compartment promotes the removal of thecontaminants from the collected run-off contaminated fluid.
 2. Apressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein,said firstflowpath is generally U-shaped having an upstream leg portion and adownstream leg portion separated by a bight portion therebetween, saidaccumulation end being positioned proximate a distal end of downstreamleg portion while the collection end is positioned along the upstreamleg portion.
 3. A pressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 2wherein,said collection end is positioned proximate a distal end of saidupstream leg portion.
 4. A pressure washing apparatus as defined inclaim 3 further including:a skimmer assembly positioned proximate adistal end of said downstream leg portion of said settling compartmentand in fluid communication with the operational fluid level of thecollected fluid in said settling compartment, said skimmer assemblybeing adapted for removing the lightweight contaminants therefrom.
 5. Apressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 4, whereinsaid skimmerassembly includes a belt device adapted to remove floating lightweightcontaminants from a top surface of the collected fluid in said settlingcompartment.
 6. A pressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 2wherein,said subfloor assembly includes a support floor adapted tofunnel the run-off contaminated fluid toward the run-off portionsituated substantially above the collection end of the settlingcompartment.
 7. A pressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 6wherein,said collection end is positioned proximate a distal end of saidupstream leg portion.
 8. A pressure washing apparatus as defined inclaim 6 wherein,said support floor defines a plurality of channels, eachadapted to funnel collected run-off contaminated fluid toward arespective portion of said collection end positioned along the upstreamleg portion.
 9. A pressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 6further including:a filtering device in fluid communication with thecollected run-off contaminated fluid passing from the run-off portion ofthe subfloor assembly to the collection end of the settling compartmentto filter out relatively coarse contaminants.
 10. A pressure washingapparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein,the filtering device is a meshbasket.
 11. A pressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 1 furtherincluding:a skimmer assembly positioned proximate the accumulation endof said settling compartment and in fluid communication with theoperational fluid level of the collected fluid in said settlingcompartment, said skimmer assembly being adapted for removing thelightweight contaminants therefrom.
 12. A pressure washing apparatus asdefined in claim 11 wherein,said skimmer assembly includes a belt deviceadapted to remove floating lightweight contaminants from a top surfaceof the collected fluid is said settling compartment.
 13. A pressurewashing apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including:an inletcompartment fluidly coupled between the pump assembly and theaccumulation end of said settling compartment through at least one inletorifice positioned sufficiently below the operational fluid level of thecollected fluid in said settling compartment to draw fluid and retaintherein.
 14. A pressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 13wherein,a second flowpath positioned at a predetermined fluid level insaid clean fluid compartment which flowably couples the clean fluidcompartment to the inlet compartment at a location slightly above theoperational water level for recirculation of the filtered fluid from theclean fluid compartment to the inlet compartment.
 15. A pressure washingapparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein,said separate clean fluidcompartment is separated from said inlet compartment through an interiorwall, and said second flowpath is provided by at least one recirculationslot extending therethrough.
 16. A pressure washing apparatus as definedin claim 15 further including:a heating element in fluid contact withthe clean fluid in said clean fluid compartment for controlled heatingthereof.
 17. A pressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 16 furtherincluding:an auto-fill device adapted to automatically fill the settlingcompartment with fluid upon detection of the fluid level falling belowthe predetermined operational fluid level.
 18. A pressure washingapparatus as defined in claim 1 further including:an auto-fill deviceadapted to automatically fill the settling compartment with fluid upondetection of the fluid level falling below the predetermined operationalfluid level.
 19. A pressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 1further including:an ozone generator; and a gas-liquid mixer arrangementconnected to the ozone generator, wherein the gas-liquid mixer isarranged to inject ozone into the fluid proximate the collection end ofsaid settling compartment.
 20. A pressure washing apparatus as definedin claim 1 wherein,said subfloor assembly includes a base frame assemblymovably coupled to said settling compartment between an operationalposition, situated for operational use over said settling compartment,and a maintenance position, enabling access to said settlingcompartment.
 21. A pressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 20wherein,said subfloor assembly includes a plurality of roller devicesmounted to the base frame assembly and movable between a retractedposition, when said subfloor assembly is in the operational position,and an extended position, enabling rolling support of the base frameassembly between the operational position and the maintenance position.22. A pressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein,saidroller devices are provided by pneumatic cylinders selectively movablebetween the retracted position and the extended position.
 23. A modularpressure washing apparatus for washing an object having a contaminantcomprising:an independent, first subfloor assembly providing a firstplatform and including a first support floor under said first platform;an independent, second subfloor assembly providing a second platformremovably coupled to and positioned adjacent the first platform of thefirst subfloor assembly in a manner cooperating to form an enlargedwashing platform area therewith for supporting the object to be washedthereon, said second subfloor assembly further including a secondsupport floor under said second platform; a settling compartmentpositioned below the first subfloor assembly and formed to receivesubstantially all the run-off of contaminated fluids flowed over theobject from said first subfloor assembly, and further adapted for fluidcommunication with the second subfloor assembly for receipt ofsubstantially all the run-off of contaminated fluids flowed over theobject from said second subfloor assembly; and a first pump assemblycoupled to said first subfloor assembly, and arranged to draw and filterthe contaminated fluids from the settling compartment and returnfiltered fluids into a separate clean fluid compartment; whereby fluidpumped from the clean fluid compartment may be used to wash contaminantsfrom the object and a circulation flowpath defined by the settlingcompartment promotes the removal of the contaminants from the collectedrun-off contaminated fluid.
 24. A modular pressure washing apparatus asdefined in claim 23 wherein,said first support floor is adapted tofunnel the run-off contaminated fluid of the first subfloor assemblytoward a run-off portion thereof situated substantially above acollection end of the settling compartment.
 25. A modular pressurewashing apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein,said second supportfloor being adapted to direct collected contaminated fluids towards andinto the run-off portion of the first support floor.
 26. A modularpressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein,said secondsubfloor assembly further includes a collection compartment positionedbelow said second platform, and formed to receive substantially all therun-off of contaminated fluids flowed over the object from said secondsubfloor assembly, said collection compartment adapted for fluidcommunication with said settling compartment for receipt of the run-offcontaminated fluid of the second subfloor assembly into said settlingcompartment.
 27. A modular pressure washing apparatus as defined inclaim 26 further including:a transfer pump device coupled between saidfirst subfloor assembly and said second subfloor assembly to draw therun-off contaminated fluid of the second subfloor assembly into saidsettling compartment.
 28. A modular pressure washing apparatus asdefined in claim 27 wherein,said second support floor is adapted tofunnel the run-off contaminated fluid of the second subfloor assemblytoward a run-off portion thereof situated substantially above acollection end of the collection compartment.
 29. A modular pressurewashing apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein,said settlingcompartment further includes an accumulation end, positioned downstreamfrom and flowably coupled to said collection end through a relativelylong first flowpath adapted to create a substantially uniform,relatively slow, non-turbulent flow from the collection end toward theaccumulation end to separate the relatively lightweight contaminants ofthe contaminated fluids from the relatively heavyweight contaminants ofthe contaminated fluids, said light contaminants being caused tosubstantially rise toward an operational fluid level in said settlingcompartment while said heavyweight contaminants are caused tosubstantially settle toward a bottom of said settling compartment duringflow along the first flowpath.
 30. A modular pressure washing apparatusas defined in claim 29 wherein,said first flowpath is generally U-shapedhaving an upstream leg portion and a downstream leg portion separated bya bight portion therebetween, said accumulation end being positionedproximate a distal end of downstream leg portion while the collectionend is positioned substantially along the upstream leg portion.
 31. Amodular pressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein,saidcollection end is positioned proximate a distal end of said upstream legportion.
 32. A modular pressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 29further including:an inlet compartment fluidly coupled between the firstpump assembly and the accumulation end of said settling compartmentthrough at least one inlet orifice positioned sufficiently below theoperational fluid level of the collected fluid in said settlingcompartment to draw fluid and retain therein.
 33. A modular pressurewashing apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein,a second flowpathpositioned at a predetermined fluid level in said clean fluidcompartment which flowably couples the clean fluid compartment to theinlet compartment at a location slightly above the operational waterlevel for recirculation of the filtered fluid from the clean fluidcompartment to the inlet compartment.
 34. A modular pressure washingapparatus as defined in claim 33 further including:an auto-fill deviceadapted to automatically fill the settling compartment with fluid upondetection of the fluid level falling below the predetermined operationalfluid level.
 35. A modular pressure washing apparatus as defined inclaim 29 further including:an ozone generator; and a gas-liquid mixerarrangement connected to the ozone generator, wherein the gas-liquidmixer is arranged to inject ozone into the fluid proximate thecollection end of said settling compartment.
 36. A modular pressurewashing apparatus as defined in claim 23 further including:a skimmerassembly positioned proximate the accumulation end of said settlingcompartment and in fluid communication with the operational fluid levelof the collected fluid in said settling compartment, said skimmerassembly being adapted for removing the lightweight contaminantstherefrom.
 37. A modular pressure washing apparatus as defined in claim36 wherein,said skimmer assembly includes a belt device adapted toremove floating lightweight contaminants from a top surface of thecollected fluid is said settling compartment.
 38. A method for washingan object, having a contaminant, with water comprising the stepsof:supporting the object over a settling compartment through a subfloorassembly including a support floor having a run-off portion thereof;passing water over the object to remove the contaminant from the object;directing the contaminated water collected in the support floor towardthe run-off portion thereof and into a collection end of said settlingcompartment; flowing the collected contaminated water from thecollection end to an accumulation end of the settling compartment alonga relatively long first flowpath adapted to create a substantiallyuniform, relatively slow, non-turbulent flow from the collection endtoward the accumulation end; separating the relatively lightweightcontaminants of the contaminated water from the relatively heavyweightcontaminants of the contaminated water, said light contaminants beingcaused to substantially rise toward an operational the level in saidsettling compartment while said heavyweight contaminants are caused tosubstantially settle toward a bottom of said settling compartment by thesubstantially uniform, relatively slow, non-turbulent flow along thefirst flowpath; and drawing and filtering the water from theaccumulation end for recirculatory use through the passing step.
 39. Amethod for washing an object as recited in claim 38 wherein,said drawingand filtering step includes the step of returning the filtered water toa clean water compartment to provide a reservoir of clean water for saidpassing step.
 40. A method for washing an object as recited in claim 39wherein,said drawing and filtering step further includes the step of,before the filtering and returning step, drawing water from theaccumulation end into an inlet compartment.
 41. A method for washing anobject as recited in claim 38 wherein,said first flowpath is generallyU-shaped having an upstream leg portion and a downstream leg portionseparated by a bight portion therebetween, said accumulation end beingpositioned proximate a distal end of downstream leg portion while thecollection end is positioned along the upstream leg portion.
 42. Amethod for washing an object as recited in claim 41 wherein,saidcollection end is positioned proximate a distal end of said upstream legportion.
 43. A method for washing an object as recited in claim 42further including the step of:skimming the lightweight contaminants froma top surface of the collected water in the accumulation end of thesettling compartment.
 44. A method for washing an object as recited inclaim 42 further including the step of:injecting ozone into the basinproximate the collection end.
 45. A pressure washing apparatus forwashing an object having a contaminant comprising:a settling compartmentformed to receive substantially all the run-off of contaminated fluidsflowed over the object; a pump assembly coupled to said settlingcompartment to draw and filter fluid from settling compartment andreturn the filtered fluid into a separate clean fluid compartment,wherein fluid pumped from the clean fluid compartment may be used towash contaminants from the object and a circulation flowpath defined bythe settling compartment promotes the removal of the contaminants fromthe collected run-off contaminated fluid; a subfloor assembly having abase frame and a platform for supporting the object to be washedthereon, said subfloor assembly being movably coupled to said settlingcompartment between an operational position, situated for operationaluse over said settling compartment, and a maintenance position, enablingaccess to said settling compartment.
 46. A pressure washing apparatus asdefined in claim 45 wherein,said subfloor assembly includes a pluralityof roller devices mounted to the base frame and movable between aretracted position, when said subfloor assembly is in the operationalposition, and an extended position, elevating said subfloor assemblyaway from said settling compartment for rolling support and movementfrom the settling compartment to the maintenance position.
 47. Apressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 46 wherein,said rollerdevices are provided by pneumatic cylinders selectively movable betweenthe retracted position and the extended position.
 48. A pressure washingapparatus as defined in claim 45 wherein,said subfloor assembly includesa support floor supported by said base frame and positioned under theplatform, and adapted to direct contaminated fluids which are flowedover the object to be washed toward a run-off portion thereof fordelivery into said settling compartment in the operational position. 49.A pressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 48 wherein,said supportfloor is adapted to funnel the run-off contaminated fluid of thesubfloor assembly toward a run-off portion thereof situatedsubstantially above a collection end of the settling compartment.
 50. Apressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 49 wherein,said settlingcompartment further includes an accumulation end, positioned downstreamfrom and flowably coupled to said collection end through a relativelylong first flowpath adapted to create a substantially uniform,relatively slow, non-turbulent flow from the collection end toward theaccumulation end to separate the relatively lightweight contaminants ofthe contaminated fluids from the relatively heavyweight contaminants ofthe contaminated fluids, said light contaminants being caused tosubstantially rise toward an operational fluid level in said settlingcompartment while said heavyweight contaminants are caused tosubstantially settle toward a bottom of said settling compartment duringflow along the first flowpath.
 51. A pressure washing apparatus asdefined in claim 50 wherein,said first flowpath is generally U-shapedhaving an upstream leg portion and a downstream leg portion separated bya bight portion therebetween, said accumulation end being positionedproximate a distal end of downstream leg portion while the collectionend is positioned substantially along the upstream leg portion.
 52. Apressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 51 wherein,saidcollection end is positioned proximate a distal end of said upstream legportion.
 53. A modular pressure washing apparatus as defined in claim 50further including:a skimmer assembly positioned proximate theaccumulation end of said settling compartment and in fluid communicationwith the operational fluid level of the collected fluid in said settlingcompartment, said skimmer assembly being adapted for removing thelightweight contaminants therefrom.